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Mamdani Decries Gaza 'Genocide' at St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast as Backlash Over Wife’s Ties Persists

The comments marked his latest public stance on the war following days of criticism from Jewish organizations over his wife's freelance illustration linked to author Susan Abulhawa.

Overview

  • At a Gracie Mansion breakfast with former Irish President Mary Robinson, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Gaza is witnessing a 'genocide' and criticized 'deafening silence' on Palestinian rights.
  • He framed Irish history as a lens for solidarity with Palestinians, praising Robinson for consistently speaking out on human rights in Gaza.
  • Mamdani’s planned sit-down with a small group of mostly Orthodox Jewish leaders drew rebukes as a brief 'photo-op,' with major groups including the ADL and JCRC saying they were not invited.
  • The ADL condemned the first lady’s past illustration tied to Abulhawa and also faulted Mamdani for hosting activist Mahmoud Khalil at Gracie Mansion, calling the pattern 'deeply troubling.'
  • Mamdani defended his wife, Rama Duwaji, saying she was commissioned through a third party and had no contact with Abulhawa, while denouncing Abulhawa’s rhetoric as 'reprehensible' and facing criticism from some pro-Palestinian allies for his response.