Mayor Mamdani Criticized for Linking St. Patrick's Day to Israel Criticism

Mayor accused of hijacking annual celebration to push anti-Israel agenda

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:53am

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During a St. Patrick's Day breakfast at Gracie Mansion, New York City Mayor Mamdani used the occasion to criticize Israel and make connections between the history of Irish oppression and the situation in Palestine. Critics have accused the mayor of twisting the holiday to further his 'shameful obsession' with Israel, ignoring the actual facts around the conflict in Gaza.

Why it matters

The mayor's comments have sparked outrage, with critics arguing he is using public events to push a biased, anti-Israel agenda while ignoring the complexities of the situation. There are concerns the mayor is promoting a double standard, failing to apply the same level of scrutiny to other nations with poor human rights records.

The details

At the St. Patrick's Day breakfast, Mamdani praised former Irish president Mary Robinson for her support of the Palestinian people, saying 'there has been deafening silence from so many' on the 'genocide' unfolding in Gaza. He then drew parallels between the history of Irish oppression under British colonial rule and the situation of the Palestinians. Critics have accused Mamdani of distorting history and hijacking the holiday celebration to advance his anti-Israel views, ignoring the role of Hamas in the conflict.

  • The St. Patrick's Day breakfast took place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Mayor Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who has been criticized for using public events to push an anti-Israel agenda.

Mary Robinson

The former president of Ireland who Mamdani praised for her support of the Palestinian people.

Bill Donohue

The president of the Catholic League who criticized Mamdani for reducing the story of the Irish to 'a story of oppression, of subjugation, and of discrimination'.

Hamas

The Palestinian terror group that has ruled Gaza and is responsible for numerous atrocities, including the invasion of Israel in October 2023.

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What they’re saying

“I think also of how she stood steadfast alongside the people of Palestine. I say this as over the past few years, as we've witnessed a genocide unfold before our eyes, there has been deafening silence from so many.”

— Mayor Mamdani

“Mamdani 'is a master of the politics of victimization' who appealed to 'his left-wing Irish friends by reducing the the story of the Irish, both in Ireland and in New York City . . . to a story of oppression, of subjugation, and of discrimination.'”

— Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League

The takeaway

The mayor's comments have raised concerns about his apparent obsession with criticizing Israel, even when it means distorting history and hijacking public celebrations. Critics argue he is promoting a double standard, failing to apply the same level of scrutiny to other nations with poor human rights records.