The wife of Mayor Zoran Mamdani has been closely connected to a campaign by democratic socialists advocating for political candidates who take a critical stance on Israel. This campaign has also shown support for a contentious bill aimed at pro-Israel charities, according to information obtained by The Post.
Rama Dowaj, the first lady, is said to have created artwork for the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America as they launched a campaign titled PalestineOnTheBallot.com.
This initiative aimed to promote candidates in the Democratic primary who pledged to back the Not on Our Dime Act, a bill intended to cut off funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. It would also penalize or dissolve charities deemed supportive of “Israeli settler violence.”
The legislation was introduced by her husband during his tenure as a state representative.
Reports suggest that Dowaj, a professional illustrator, contributed graphics for the DSA’s website and promotional materials.
“The Democratic primary is on June 25th, and Palestine is definitely on the ballot,” he noted. An animated message from the DSA on their social media platforms urged voters to question their congressmen’s positions on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The animation encouraged voters to check where their representatives stood on the situation, featuring a user-friendly ballot format where they could enter their address to find information on elected officials’ positions regarding the conflict in Gaza.
“Visit PalestineOnTheBallot.com to inform yourself and create your voting plan,” the message emphasized.
The campaign also called for supporters to get involved with Jamal Bowman’s re-election efforts, although Bowman recently lost in the Democratic primary to George Latimer.
Concerns about Dowaj’s activities surfaced after old tweets were found. These posts included support for social media celebrating Hamas’ actions against Israel on October 7, as well as negative remarks about the U.S. military.
Additionally, it was reported that Dowaj had produced illustrations for authors with anti-Semitic viewpoints.
One activist pointed out that Dowaj’s significant involvement with the anti-Israel DSA only underscores the shared views between her and her husband. They both seem to harbor strong animosity towards the Jewish community in Israel.
“They’re both filled with vile hatred for the Jews of Israel,” remarked Dov Hikind, a former Brooklyn state lawmaker. He further noted that Dowaj appears even more extreme in her views than Mamdani.
Mamdani, a known member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was pivotal in the group’s activities in Albany and celebrated the organization’s involvement in last year’s mayoral election.
Critics argue that Dowaj’s public actions contradict Mamdani’s recent assertions that she is merely a “private person,” a statement he made following revelations of her anti-Israel sentiments.
“Does anyone believe she is a civilian?” Hikind questioned.
Dowaj’s participation in the DSA’s campaign seems to reflect a deeper engagement in the political arena alongside her husband, particularly regarding strong support for Palestinians in Gaza and accusations against Israel of “war crimes.”
Mamdani’s record on these issues continually strains relationships with pro-Israel advocates. He backs the boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign against Israel, often considered a form of anti-Semitism by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League.
Moreover, Mamdani has stated that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to visit New York, he would seek to arrest him as a war criminal. In a similarly charged statement last St. Patrick’s Day, he labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” yet the next day, he met with Orthodox Jewish leaders to discuss combating anti-Semitism in the city.
Neither Mamdani nor Duwaj provided immediate comments on these issues.
