Miss Israel Says Mamdani’s Wife Refused Photo After Learning She Was Israeli

Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz said she unexpectedly encountered New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji at a Brooklyn café on Sunday, claiming the interaction quickly changed after Duwaji learned she was Israeli.

Shiraz, 27, said she was visiting New York for an event at the Israeli Consulate when she noticed Duwaji sitting beside her at a café in Williamsburg. A short selfie-style video later shared online appeared to show the two briefly smiling together before Duwaji moved out of frame.

“I had told her I’m Miss Israel, and then she didn’t want to engage with me anymore. Shocker,” Shiraz said.

The encounter quickly drew attention online because Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has faced previous criticism over past anti-Israel social media activity. Last month, Duwaji publicly apologized after older posts resurfaced, including reported comments about Tel Aviv and posts involving Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled.

According to Shiraz, the interaction initially appeared friendly. She said Duwaji sat beside her by chance at the café and spoke with her briefly before the atmosphere changed.

“She sat right next to me. What are the odds?” Shiraz said.

Shiraz said she asked Duwaji whether they could take a photo or short video together before introducing herself. She claimed Duwaji then appeared uncomfortable and withdrew from the interaction.

“She was polite but clearly changed her tone,” Shiraz said.

Shiraz said she used the moment to raise concerns about Duwaji’s previous online comments regarding Israel and Israelis.

“I told her what I think about the stuff she has said online, and that I believe that it’s important to engage in dialogue in which you don’t dehumanize the other side,” she said.

“And she politely brushed me off and then refused to engage anymore.”

Duwaji did not publicly respond to Shiraz’s account of the interaction. According to reports, requests for comment sent to Duwaji went unanswered, while City Hall declined to comment.

Last month, Duwaji issued a public apology after renewed scrutiny over older social media activity tied to Israel and the October 7 Hamas massacre. In a statement at the time, she said, “I understand the hurt I caused, and am truly sorry.”

Shiraz has become a visible pro-Israel speaker on American college campuses and at Jewish community events. Before returning to Israel, she studied at the University of California, Berkeley and worked in Silicon Valley’s tech industry.

Last month, Shiraz was involved in a confrontation with anti-Israel protesters during an event at Stanford University, where police were called after demonstrators allegedly disrupted the gathering.