NYC Mayor's Wife's Visit to Syria and Lebanon Sparks Controversy: 'Demanded NYPD Security'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani denied that his wife, Rama Dawaji, would receive NYPD security during her upcoming visit to Syria and Lebanon, calling it a 'misunderstanding'. His spokesperson had earlier confirmed a New York Post report about security accompanying her, but the police denied it. Pro-Israeli activist Dov Hikind harshly criticized the plan.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani denied last night that his wife, Rama Dawaji, would receive NYPD security during her upcoming visit to Syria and Lebanon, calling it a 'misunderstanding'. His spokesperson, Dora Pakci, had confirmed a day earlier a New York Post report about plans to attach a security team to the visit, which is set to begin on September 20. The police strongly denied this, stating they do not send officers to countries with Level 4 travel advisories for personal reasons. Dawaji, an American of Syrian descent and an illustrator by profession, is known for anti-Israel views, and last year she apologized for posts praising terrorists. Jewish activist Dov Hikind harshly criticized the plan, claiming the officers would be in danger and that Dawaji would be received as a hero by Hezbollah and Hamas.