The discovery of liked Instagram posts by Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is reigniting political debate surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. This shows how the personal views of public officials’ spouses can become part of broader political scrutiny.
The situation came to light through The New York Times, which reported that Duwaji liked several posts on Instagram expressing support for Palestinians in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The activity quickly drew attention from critics and supporters alike.
Mayor Mamdani responded by defending his wife and emphasizing that she is a private individual whose personal views are separate from his role as mayor. He said that while he answers for his policies and decisions as an elected official, his wife does not hold any public role in his administration.
The mayor defends his wife as political debate resurfaces
According to the report, Duwaji, who is Syrian-American, liked several posts shortly after the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed roughly 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that followed has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
One of the posts she liked showed a bulldozer breaching the barrier between Israel and Gaza with the caption “Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation.” Another image she liked appeared to show people celebrating on what looked like an Israeli military vehicle with the words “Free Palestine” written below it.
Other posts she interacted with described resistance as an act of self-defense and framed it as a human right for those living under occupation. Mayor Mamdani said his wife has never held an official role in his political career or City Hall.
The couple married in early 2025, and he did not enter the Democratic primary for mayor until October 2024, meaning the social media activity predates both their marriage and his campaign. The episode has unfolded amid a broader cycle of political scrutiny that has also included Virginia’s Jan. 6 law.
Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor and a democratic socialist, has long been outspoken about his criticism of Israel and support for Palestinians. His stance on the war in Gaza became a major issue during the mayoral race and drew heavy criticism from political opponents.
During that campaign, former governor Andrew M. Cuomo and a supporting super PAC spent millions of dollars on ads suggesting Mamdani’s positions on Israel were antisemitic. Sophie Ellman-Golan, director of strategic communications for Jews For Racial and Economic Justice, said the mayor has been open about his views on the conflict for years.
She noted that he has called for a cease-fire while also advocating safety and freedom for both Palestinians and Israelis. Following Mamdani’s election victory last year, the Anti-Defamation League launched a website called the “Mamdani Monitor” to track his administration and watch for actions it believes could be antisemitic.
The organization declined to comment on Duwaji’s social media activity. The situation has also drawn comparisons to scrutiny faced by other political spouses, as Washington has remained consumed by issues including the recent weapons scramble signal.
Earlier this week, attention turned to social media activity by the wife of Representative Daniel Goldman after posts from right-wing accounts circulated online. Ellman-Golan said there is a key distinction between the two situations, noting that Goldman’s wife serves as his campaign treasurer, while Duwaji has not held any formal role in Mamdani’s campaign or administration.
Published: Mar 7, 2026 12:30 pm