The wife of the mayor of New York…a dress that confuses the Israeli media (photos)

Zahran Mamdani’s victory as mayor of New York sparked widespread attention, but attention turned to his wife, Rama Dawaji, who appeared at the victory celebration wearing an embroidered Palestinian heritage dress designed by Palestinian Zaid Hijazi. This appearance was seen as a pro-Palestinian cultural statement at a prominent political moment.

American newspapers saw that Dawaji “expresses through fashion what her husband says about politics,” while Israeli analysts described her appearance as a “direct symbolic message” with the rise in popular support for Palestine within American universities.

The move came in the context of Mamdani’s positions in support of Palestine, as he had previously called for a reconsideration of municipal investments linked to Israel, and a distinction between criticism of Israel and hostility toward Jews.

On the other hand, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced the establishment of the “Mamdani Observatory” to monitor his administration’s policies, in a move that was considered a political pressure tool against the backdrop of his positions.

Palestinian activists believe that Dawaji’s choice of dress was not a passing detail, but rather an affirmation of the ability of Palestinian identity to be present in the American public space through culture and art.