[78870] Tens of thousands at the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York; Mayor absent from the event

Celebrate Israel Parade in New York: Massive attendance alongside political protest

Tens of thousands participated yesterday (May 31, 2026) in the annual Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, an event that took place under "heavy and unprecedented" security, according to Field News on Telegram. The parade opened with the singing of the anthem according to Zirat News, and included diverse displays of support, including 'Harley-Davidson' motorcycle riders according to Zirat News and the presence of historical Iranian flags and Magen David Adom ambulances according to Zirat News.

The event was marked by local political tension, as for the first time since the 1960s, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani chose to boycott the parade. On the Daniel Amram Uncensored channel, which is identified with critical positions toward the political establishment, it was noted that while the current mayor was absent, former Mayor Eric Adams arrived to show support. At the same time, protesters present at the event hurled accusations at the mayor and called out to him "Zohran = Hamas" according to Daniel Amram Uncensored.

At the official levels, Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu harshly criticized the mayor's decision. In a report on the YINONEWS - Yinon Magal channel, which emphasizes right-wing and conservative positions, Minister Eliyahu was quoted as saying: "At a time when tens of thousands of Jews and lovers of Israel are marching proudly today in New York, the mayor has chosen to align with the radical forces that are trying to turn support for Israel into something for which one must apologize." According to Eliyahu, this is a danger not only to Israel but to all Western cities, as he claims it is "antisemitic extremism that exploits democracy for a quiet takeover."