For New York City mayors and other top elected officials, the annual Israel Day Parade along Fifth Avenue has always been a must-attend event, a show of solidarity with New York’s Jewish community.
But Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a forceful critic of the Israeli government, is choosing to skip Sunday’s parade — though he did brief the media Thursday on security preparations.
What You Need To Know
In a break from a decades-long tradition, Mayor Zohran Mamdani will skip the Israel Day Parade on Sunday
The mayor and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is an honorary grand marshal, held a security briefing Thursday
Some of Mamdani’s critics see the decision as another affront to the Jewish community
“As the mayor of our city, I take seriously my responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of every New Yorker at every event, regardless of my attendance,” Mamdani said at a news conference at NYPD headquarters.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, noting the “heightened threat environment,” warned of a heavy police presence Sunday and gave details on street closures and screened entry points.
“To be blunt, we are not messing around with security at this year’s parade,” she said.
But Tisch, who is Jewish, also spoke of the parade as a joyful event and is an honorary grand marshal this year, putting her in an awkward position when asked by a reporter about the mayor’s absence.
“It’s the mayor’s decision not to march, and it’s my decision to march proudly,” she said.
Some of Mamdani’s critics in the Jewish community see the move as another affront. Two weeks ago, the mayor stirred controversy by posting a video on social media about the displacement of Palestinians during the formation of Israel, an event referred to as the Nakba, while not recognizing Israel’s independence day.
The view that Mamdani is stoking the flames of antisemitism fueled a protest outside Gracie Mansion earlier this week that drew hundreds.
Mark Treyger, whose group organizes the Israel Day Parade, appeared at Thursday’s briefing and took a diplomatic tone.
“Most people [who] are coming to this parade are not coming for politicians,” Treyger, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said. “They’re coming to build community and solidarity with one another.”
Some Mamdani critics, like the Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, say it’s just as well he doesn’t attend.
“We have too much self-respect and self-dignity to have this man bring a dark cloud to our parade,” Schneier told NY1. “Do us a favor: Stay home. Stay [at] Gracie Mansion. We’ll do just fine without you.”