Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, shared a tribute to Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi, on Instagram who was killed on Monday during clashes between Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
Jafarawi, 28, was a controversial figure, known for documenting the war in Gaza and for his unapologetic celebration of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel.
Rama Duwaji’s tribute
Duwaji, who has voiced her support for Palestinian causes in the past, posted a tribute on Instagram, remembering Jafarawi as “beloved,” along with four broken heart emojis.
However, Jafarawi’s passing has led to mixed reactions globally, with many Israelis celebrating his death, viewing him as a propagandist for Hamas.
Jafarawi rose to prominence on social media, particularly on X, where he had amassed more than 250,000 followers. He earned the nickname “Mr. FAFO” (an acronym for “F*** Around and Find Out”) from Israeli media due to his public jubilation following the October 7 massacre in Israel.
His videos showed him celebrating the attack, followed by footage of him crying when Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza.
Who was Saleh al-Jafarawi?
Israeli officials and citizens widely considered Jafarawi a spokesperson for Hamas, and many of them cheered his death. However, others have expressed sympathy for his passing and for his significant influence within Gaza and the broader Palestinian movement.
Former Israeli spokesperson Eylon Levy described Jafarawi as “charismatic,” praising his creativity and energy, even as he condemned his support for what he saw as a genocidal cause.
Levy added that Jafarawi’s “phenomenal” ability to create compelling content had captured his attention, though he expressed regret that the influencer’s talents were used to promote violence.
Jafarawi’s personal life and interests were multifaceted. According to the WeArethePeace Instagram handle, Jafarawi was a ranked table tennis player and a passionate musician, who frequently created songs and videos that captured both the struggles and beauty of Gaza.
His love for Islam was also well-documented, with reports stating he had memorised the entire Quran.
Jafarawi began his online presence in 2020, using platforms like YouTube to vlog about life in Gaza, post music videos, and share his personal perspective on the ongoing conflict.
His name in Arabic, “Saleh,” translates to “virtuous” and “righteous,” further adding to the complexity of his legacy.