The wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces mounting controversy after reports emerged that she liked a social media post dismissing investigations into sexual violence during the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack as a fabricated hoax.

Social Media Activity Under Scrutiny

Rama Duwaji, a Houston-born illustrator who married Mamdani in early 2025, allegedly liked a February 2024 Instagram post claiming The New York Times investigation into sexual violence during the Hamas attack was manufactured. The Free Press first reported the incident, adding to a series of controversial social media interactions by Duwaji that surfaced in recent days. The mayor’s wife, who identifies as Syrian, also engaged with multiple posts immediately following the October 7 attack that appeared critical of Israel, according to Jewish Insider.

One post Duwaji liked on the day of the attack featured images of a bulldozer breaching the barrier separating Israel from Gaza and individuals riding on top of a captured Israeli Defense Force vehicle. Text overlaying the images reads, “Breaking the walls of apartheid and military occupation” and “Resisting apartheid since 1948.” As of Saturday, Duwaji’s likes on that post remained publicly visible. Additional posts she engaged with promoted anti-Israel protests, called for cutting U.S. aid to Israel, and included activist organizing efforts.

Mayor Defends Wife’s Privacy

During a news conference on Friday, Mayor Mamdani described Duwaji as “a private person” when questioned about her social media activity. “My wife is the love of my life, and she’s also a private person who has held no formal position on my campaign or in my City Hall,” Mamdani stated. He emphasized his responsibility to represent all 8.5 million New York City residents and answer questions about his own thoughts, policies, and decisions. A City Hall spokesperson told Jewish Insider that Mamdani has been clear and consistent in his position that Hamas is a terrorist organization and October 7 was a horrific war crime.

Controversial Slogan Engagement

Among the posts Duwaji liked was content containing the slogan “from the river to the sea,” which Jewish Insider noted is often understood as calling for the total elimination of Israel from lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The discovery raises questions about the mayor’s household views on Middle East policy, despite his official stance condemning Hamas and the October 7 violence. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on the matter.