Israel Day Parade Proceeds Without NYC Mayor Amid Criticism

The annual Israel Day parade in New York City commenced on Sunday, notable for the absence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Despite his absence, the event, led by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as a grand marshal, saw participation from Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other political figures.

The parade has traditionally been an occasion attracting mayors, governors, and political leaders, all gathering to celebrate the Jewish state along Fifth Avenue. Mayor Mamdani announced his decision to skip the parade at a news conference on Thursday. ‘I said on the campaign trail that I wouldn’t be attending the parade, and I’ve made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,’ he stated.

Mamdani has chosen not to attend the city’s Israel Day parade, sparking criticism amid record levels of antisemitism.

Commissioner Tisch, who is Jewish, expressed her intent to participate in the parade with pride. Mamdani’s decision ends a long-standing tradition of mayoral attendance at the event.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, outspoken against Mamdani, labeled him as ‘anti-Israel’ during his remarks prior to the parade. ‘I think he’s an anti-Semite. I think he’s anti-Israel,’ Blakeman said, criticizing Mamdani for altering the city’s definition of antisemitism.

Blakeman also highlighted Mamdani’s focus on Israel while remaining silent on human rights issues in countries like Iran, Russia, and China. ‘We don’t want a wolf in sheep’s clothing marching in our parade,’ he emphasized.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, commented on the strong turnout, stating, ‘While the mayor chose to boycott the event, the public came in droves to prove the connection to Israel is stronger than any political campaign.’

Governor Hochul and Senator Schumer, alongside other leaders such as Attorney General Leticia James, attended the parade. Speaking before it began, Schumer condemned the ‘ugly resurgence’ of antisemitism worldwide, now propagated rapidly via digital means.