What a beautiful day it was for a parade in Manhattan….
The annual Israel Day Parade in New York City – officially known as “Israel Day on Fifth” took place on a glorious Sunday afternoon – with tens of thousands of marchers, supporters and onlookers – all under the watch and protection of thousands of officers from the New York City Police Department.
This massive event serves as the world’s largest public demonstration of solidarity with Israel and brought tens of thousands of participants and spectators out to celebrate Israeli heritage and culture.
The event was heavily secured by the NYPD, featuring K-9 units, undercover officers, and strict entry checkpoints.
APB NEWS caught up with former State Assemblymember and New York City Council member Rory Lancman, who has launched a campaign for the New York State Senate which represents District 7, covering the North Shore of Long Island.
Lancman’s platform targets lowering Long Island’s cost of living, increasing government accountability, combating antisemitism, and expanding reproductive rights protection.
The big news – on stage just before the parade began, New York governor Kathy Hochul announced that she just signed the Buffer Zone Bill – the legislation now creates a 50-foot security perimeter between protests and all houses of worship in the state.
So who was on hand and marched, and who was not?
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said all along that he would not partake in the parade but would authorize the police department to make sure it was a safe event. Mike Leventhal was on Fifth Avenue and asked Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, standing with the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, about the mayor’s absence – both had strong thoughts on that.
This is a historic break from a 62-year tradition, making him the first sitting New York City mayor to skip the annual event since its inception in 1964.
Politicians expressing their support for the State of Israel and to stomp out hate were: Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch who was the grand marshal, and former Mayors Mike Bloomberg and Eric Adams.
The United Nations officially added Israeli armed and security forces to its blacklist of parties accused of committing sexual violence in conflict zones. In immediate retaliation, Israel’s Ambassador, Danny Danon, said that Israel has completely severed all ties and frozen relations with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his office.
With more than 7,000 officers on patrol, the NYPD reported no incidents and no arrests.