More than 50,000 people marched down Fifth Avenue on Sunday, May 31, in the annual Israel Day Parade, proceeding without Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who boycotted the event, according to Queens Jewish Link. Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards were among the political leaders who did participate. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who marched alongside former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, described the police presence as the “most extensive” for a parade.
West Hempstead parent Yoni Shenkman marched with HANC. “I’ve marched many times, the first time with Yavneh Academy in fourth grade,” he said. “Given the rise of anti-Semitism, it’s important to show your support physically so we can have our voices heard.” Shenkman had recently visited Israel and relayed economic worries he heard there: “They need tourists and they’re worried about the dollar being weak against the shekel. People raising money for Israel and tour guides who are paid in dollars are worried.”
Aliza Gewirtz brought three children to the march. “I’ve marched since I was a baby with my grandfather, who fought in 1948,” she said. “We’re here to show our support.” Many marching groups carried flags bearing the names and faces of Nova festival attendees, hostages, and soldiers killed in the October 7 attacks and the conflict that followed. Along with World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors, participants of Israel’s War of Independence, whose numbers dwindle each year, waved from a trolley on the route.
This year’s parade included, for the first time, a Muslim organization: the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, led by Anila Ali, according to a column by Sergey Kadinsky in Queens Jewish Link. Ali told the New York Post before the march that her group had received a threatening phone call ahead of their participation. “We are a little worried after somebody called and told us to wear a bulletproof vest,” Ali said. “But we’re fighting to take back our country, and it’s a fight that every American should join.”
The UJA-Federation of New York fielded the largest contingent, representing synagogues, community centers, and nonprofits across its umbrella. Its outgoing CEO, Eric Goldstein, described the event as “an apolitical gathering to show our love for the one and only Jewish homeland.” Some participants along the route expressed opposition to the presence of certain Israeli politicians in the march, per Kadinsky’s account. Before the parade stepped off, Hochul signed a security buffer bill at a Met Council breakfast.
Representative Dan Goldman also marched, telling the crowd: “I stand before you as a proud Jew and a proud Zionist, and those of us who feel that way can never waver. It should not be momentous to say that, but unfortunately, in many ways, today it is.” Goldman faces a Democratic primary challenge from Brad Lander, who has been endorsed by Mamdani, with some polls showing Goldman trailing, according to Queens Jewish Link. Signs along the route also promoted Republican candidates, including Bruce Blakeman for governor and Saritha Komatireddy for attorney general.
Daniel Elefant marched with HANC alongside his wife Leora. “I first marched here as a student at HALB, and my wife Leora marched with HANC. I’ve returned almost every year,” he said. “I also marched as a student at YU. In August, we will be making aliyah to Beit Shemesh. October 7 was a big push, and we’ve been thinking about it more seriously.”
Social media activist Lizzy Savetsky brought life-size cardboard cutouts of the mayor to the march, according to Queens Jewish Link. State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, who represents a Russian-speaking constituency in Brooklyn, addressed the boycott directly: “While Mamdani chose to boycott this beautiful celebration out of hostility towards the Jewish people and Israel, thousands of New Yorkers showed the truth today: We are proud, united, and stronger than ever.” Former Mayor Eric Adams also marched, appearing on the route about two hours behind Bloomberg and Tisch. Fifth Avenue was lined with police on each side for a full block, and there were no serious disruptions to the march.
Featured image: Bushwick Daily
