Israel Reportedly Considers Banning Artist and NYC First Lady Rama Duwaji
Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism has reportedly moved to bar Syrian multimedia artist and New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji from entering Israel, according to Haaretz. The ministry cited Duwaji’s pro-Palestinian artworks, including her animation “Eyes on Jenin” (2025), and her social media activity, including a reported “like” of an October 7, 2023 post by @theslowfactory describing bulldozers breaching Israeli border fences as “resistance” and calling Gaza an “open-air prison.” Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli reportedly called her comments “unrestrained” and said Israel would not allow her to enter, while misnaming her as “Mrs. Mamdani.” Duwaji did not respond to Hyperallergic’s request for comment, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a March 6 press conference that his wife is a private person with no formal role in his campaign or City Hall.
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This story was covered in Restitution Reckonings and Biennale Blowups