News has emerged that the spouse of Mayor Zohran Mamdani played a significant role in an activist initiative by Democratic socialists, which promoted political figures opposed to Israel and supported a contentious legislative proposal aimed at pro-Israel philanthropic organizations.
Rama Duwaji, the first lady and a professional illustrator—whom Mamdani has unusually asserted is not a public persona—produced visual content for the New York City division of the Democratic Socialists of America during the left-leaning organization’s launch of a public initiative titled “PalestineOnTheBallot.com.”
This campaign endorsed hopefuls in Democratic Party primaries who declined financial contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and pledged allegiance to the Not on Our Dime Act. This proposed legislation sought to penalize or dismantle registered charities identified as supporting “Israeli settler violence.”
This legislation had been put forward by her husband when he served as a state assemblyman.
“The Democratic primary election is scheduled for June 25, and the issue of Palestine will be a decisive factor, even for your New York State Representatives,” stated the animated announcement circulated by the DSA on TikTok and Instagram.
“Are your representatives in New York supportive of a ceasefire? Do they advocate for terminating financial aid linked to alleged Israeli war crimes? Are they receiving funds from AIPAC of NY?”
The animated sequence depicts a ballot interface, allowing constituents to enter their addresses to ascertain their elected representatives’ positions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza, complemented by visual depictions of voters.
“Access Palestine.com to learn their positions. Subsequently, devise your voting strategy and mobilize voters for pro-Palestinian socialist hopefuls who require your backing,” the appeal conveyed.
“Illustrations crafted by Rama Duwaji.”
The PalestineOnTheBallot.com platform additionally urged advocates to offer their time for the unsuccessful re-election bid of former Representative Jamaal Bowman. Bowman, an adversary of Israel, suffered a decisive defeat in the Democratic primary at the hands of George Latimer.
Her involvement with the anti-Israel DSA group came to light following the emergence of past tweets showing Duwaji endorsing social media content that celebrated Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, lauded Palestinian militants, and expressed disapproval of the US military.
As previously reported by The Post, Duwaji likewise furnished illustrations for an author accused of antisemitism.
According to a pro-Israel advocate, Duwaji’s prominent participation in the DSA’s anti-Israel initiative serves as additional evidence that she and her spouse, Mamdani, share identical views and rhetorical stances.
“Both exhibit an abominable animosity towards the Jewish populace of Israel,” remarked Dov Hikind, a former state assemblyman from Brooklyn who previously represented the predominantly Orthodox Jewish community of Borough Park and established Americans Against Antisemitism.
“The first lady’s views are more extreme than Mamdani’s, which is a significant statement. She poses a threat, and so does he. They are both radical Islamists. What an exemplary pair. Congratulations!”
Mamdani, an avowed member of the DSA, held a prominent position among the left-wing organization’s legislators in Albany. In October 2024, the DSA became the initial political entity to endorse his triumphant mayoral campaign from the previous year.
Critics assert that Duwaji’s active involvement directly contradicts Mamdani’s recent assertion that his wife is merely a “private individual,” a stance he adopted earlier this month following the emergence of reports detailing her anti-Israel pronouncements and connections.
“Can anyone genuinely believe she is a private citizen?” Hikind questioned.
Her contributions to the DSA’s “Palestine on The Ballot” campaign demonstrate Duwaji assuming a more visible public presence alongside her future husband, advocating for the Hamas-backed Palestinians in Gaza and alleging the Jewish state is committing “war crimes,” as noted by Hikind and others.
Mamdani’s personal anti-Israel advocacy persistently generates friction among certain pro-Israel Jewish communities.
He is an proponent of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement targeting Israel, which the Anti-Defamation League views as a manifestation of antisemitism due to its efforts to undermine the legitimacy and harm the economy of the Jewish nation.
The mayor previously stated his intention to apprehend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York, alleging the Prime Minister is a war criminal.
On St. Patrick’s Day last week, he reiterated accusations that Israel was perpetrating “genocide” in Gaza, just one day subsequent to engaging with Orthodox Jewish leaders and pledging to combat antisemitism within the metropolis.
Mamdani and Duwaji did not provide an immediate response.