New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded after reports surfaced that his wife had previously liked social-media posts referencing the October 7 attacks on Israel, prompting renewed scrutiny of his political positions and public messaging on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The report, first highlighted by outlets including Mediaite and others citing earlier reporting from Jewish Insider, alleged that Mamdani’s wife Rama Duwaji had liked several Instagram posts in 2023 that appeared to celebrate or frame the Hamas attack as “Palestinian resistance.” The posts reportedly included images connected to the assault, such as militants breaching barriers between Gaza and Israel and footage taken during the attack.
According to the reporting, one of the posts included slogans associated with pro-Palestinian activism and commentary about resistance against Israeli occupation. Other posts promoted demonstrations supporting Palestinians following Israel’s military response in Gaza.
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After the report circulated, Mamdani addressed the controversy during a press appearance, emphasizing that his wife is not involved in his administration or campaign.
“My wife is a private person who has held no formal role in my campaign or in City Hall,” Mamdani said. “She is the love of my life.”
He added that he alone is responsible for answering questions about his own political views.
“I was elected to represent all 8.5 million people of New York City,” Mamdani said. “It’s my responsibility to answer questions about my thoughts, my politics, and my stances.”
A spokesperson for the mayor also reiterated Mamdani’s position on the October 7 attack, stating that he has consistently condemned the violence carried out by Hamas.
“Mayor Mamdani has been clear and consistent: Hamas is a terrorist organization,” the spokesperson said. “October 7th was a horrific war crime, and he has condemned that violence unequivocally.”
The controversy comes amid heightened political sensitivity in New York and across the United States regarding public statements related to the Israel-Hamas war. The October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people in Israel and triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Mamdani, a progressive Democratic politician who has been outspoken in his criticism of Israeli government policies, has previously described the attack as a “horrific war crime” while also calling for an end to what he describes as occupation and apartheid in the region.
Debates around Israel and Palestine have become a frequent flashpoint in U.S. politics since the attack. In New York City, the issue has repeatedly surfaced during Mamdani’s political rise, including during the 2025 mayoral race and in subsequent discussions about his administration’s policies and public messaging.
The renewed attention to Duwaji’s social-media activity follows earlier controversies involving individuals connected to Mamdani’s political orbit. In late 2025, an appointee in his incoming administration resigned after past social-media posts described as antisemitic resurfaced, drawing criticism from advocacy groups and political opponents.
Following the latest report, some of the Instagram “likes” referenced in the story appeared to have been removed from the account.
Featured imaged by Seth Wenig/AP
