Wife of NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani Sparks Controversy at European Anti-Israel Women's Conference

Rama Dawaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, has ignited controversy by participating in an all-women anti-Israel conference on the island of Corsica. At the event, she described Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a "Palestinian woman who gave birth under occupation," a characterization that has drawn sharp criticism from American scholars.

Researchers, including Professor Rachel Fulton Brown from the University of Chicago, warned against applying modern political concepts to historical figures from 2,000 years ago, stating that such reinterpretations are unhelpful. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that this portrayal is part of a broader narrative promoted at the conference, which reportedly involves repeated anti-Israel rhetoric and framing prayers, lectures, and meals around solidarity with "our sisters in Palestine."

Last year, an article in Vogue Arabia described a previous retreat by the same organization, highlighting its consistent anti-Israel stance. Additionally, Dawaji recently skipped American Independence Day celebrations to attend another retreat organized by the group on the Spanish island of Mallorca, where she served as the "resident artist" in a workshop focused on "Quranic plants." The events and Dawaji's involvement have sparked debate over the intersection of politics, religion, and historical interpretation in these gatherings.