New York celebrates annual Israel parade – without city’s Mayor

Thousands of Jewish New Yorkers and allies lined New York’s famed Fifth Avenue on Sunday for the Israel Day Parade – though the city’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the rally, the first Mayor in more than half a century to do so. 

The NYPD said it implemented the most extensive security operation in the parade’s history, involving uniformed and plainclothes officers, counterterrorism teams, explosive-detection canines, helicopters, drones, hostile surveillance teams and extensive camera coverage.

According to organisers at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), tens of thousands of spectators attended the parade on Sunday afternoon.

Mamdani declined to participate, saying that he had made his views on the Israeli government “abundantly clear” during a press briefing on Thursday.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, in contrast, served as a grand marshal at Sunday’s parade, describing the event as “one of the most joyful days of the year.”

Mamdani’s absence wasn’t the only break from precedent. Sunday also saw the first Muslim-led delegation march on Fifth Avenue alongside Jewish and pro-Israel organisations. Dr. Anila Ali, a Pakistani-born civil rights activist and founder of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) told Jewish News she was leading her contingent in an effort to stand against bigotry and show public solidarity with New York’s Jewish community.

“Hatred of Jews and intimidation in the name of my religion will not be tolerated,” Dr Ali said, adding that “there are Muslims who will proudly stand with the Jewish people and the State of Israel until Mayor Mamdani learns to lead for all people – or resigns.”

Before the parade began, elected officials and Jewish community leaders took to the stage.

Eric Goldstein, the outgoing CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local nonprofit in the world, reflected on how the parade used to be a non-controversial event. “The Israel Parade used to be a simpler time when we would march apolitically to mark the extraordinary achievements of this tiny nation,” Goldstein said. “A couple of years ago the parade became focused on the hostages [held by Hamas in Gaza]. Today, we march for ourselves as we are increasingly targets because we are Jews.”

Representing New York State government, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the signing of a new “Buffer Bill,” the first of its kind in New York State history, which would establish a 50-foot security perimeter around houses of worship and educational centres where protests are not allowed. “When you go to worship with your families, you should not have to endure harassment, intimidation or hatred from anyone,” Hochul said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James highlighted the importance of non-Jewish allies marching in solidarity against antisemitism. “I, as an African American stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism now and forever,” James said. “It’s important that individuals see my face and know that it’s not just Jews who stand against antisemitism.”

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in US history, warned about the perils of ignoring bigotry and prejudice in society even when it appears dormant, quoting Irish diplomat and historian Conor Cruise O’Brien when saying that “antisemitism is a light sleeper.”

The New York parade took place amid a surge in antisemitic hate crimes in the United States since October 7, 2023, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reporting an average of 17 antisemitic incidents per day in 2025 alone.

Former New York City mayors participated in the parade, including Michael Bloomberg and Eric Adams. Moshe Davis, the former executive director of Mayor Adams’ Office to Combat Antisemitism, told Jewish News that there is an unbreakable bond between New York and the State of Israel. “This march should be a message to all those who lead the city to know that this strength and partnership between Israel, the Jewish people and New York is what creates a future for all.”