Sunday will see the annual Israel parade in New York City, which attracts thousands of participants, with increased security and a focus on solidarity during the Gaza war.
The march comes nearly eight months after Hamas’ catastrophic Oct. 7 attack, the bloodiest in Israeli history. Previously known as “Celebrate Israel,” organizers announced that the war, ongoing Israeli captives, and global antisemitism outbursts would suspend the jubilant atmosphere this year.
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The march, now dubbed “Israel Day on Fifth” due to its route along Fifth Avenue from 57th to 74th Street in Manhattan, will instead emphasize camaraderie, strength, and perseverance, according to Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
“This is not the mood for confetti and music,” Treyger explained. “This is more of a feeling of unwavering, ironclad solidarity with hostages to bring them home, as well as our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity.”
The 59th annual procession begins at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and is expected to gather over 40,000 participants, including Israeli politicians, celebrities, and some of the hostages’ families.
Despite what Treyger described as an enormous surge in antisemitism, there was no discussion of canceling the procession this year.
“This is a moment that we have to meet,” he stated.
However, there will be heavy security.
Officials with the New York Police Department announced on Friday that they intend to employ tactics often used for high-profile events such as New Year’s Eve and July 4. This includes drones, K-9 units, bike patrols, fences and obstacles, and approved spectator entrance points along the parade route.
The ban will apply to backpacks, heavy bags, and coolers. Spectators will have to go through metal detectors, and they will only be able to line the east side of Fifth Avenue, with police blocking the west side.
City officials reiterated Friday that there were no specific or credible threats to the procession or the city and that protestors have the right to demonstrate peacefully.
“We’re not going to tolerate any illegality or disruption of any celebration of one’s heritage in this city,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated during a security briefing.
The procession is the first large-scale Jewish event in the city since the war began, despite the fact that there have been over 2,800 protests in the city, 1,300 of which are related to the conflict, according to the Democrat.
Israel is under mounting international condemnation for its deliberate destruction policy in Gaza, which has resulted in a large number of civilian deaths. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli bombardments and ground offensives in the confined region have killed over 36,000 Palestinians, with no distinction made between combatants and civilians.
