June 2, 2024
Thousands of marchers and onlookers celebrated Israel Day on 5th today. NYPD security was tight, given the ongoing war in Gaza and related protest activity here. People who wanted to watch from the sidelines were routed to just a handful side streets where they were screened by school security officers and the metal detectors NYC students pass through every day. Despite, or because of, the massive NYPD presence, there were no confrontations reported. According to an observer posting on Twitter a group of protesters approached the parade before quitting the area.
Souvenirs of Israel on 5th Parade.
The parade itself consisted of thousands of marchers from many organizations, synagogues, and schools including Yeshiva University up here in Washington Heights. The theme of “Bring Them Home” referring to the people taken hostage on October 7, 2023 in Israel, featured prominently on banners, tee shirts, signs, and in the chants called out by the marchers.
Israel on 5th marchers.
Governor Hochul was on hand to launch the parade and she had this to say:
“Bring them home now. These families have suffered every single night wondering the fate of their loved ones. It is cruel. It is inhumane. And we stand together united as a state that says, “Let these families be in peace. Let them be with their loved ones. Let that happen not a day longer.” We must stop this pain for these individuals. And I, as the Governor of a state that is so proud – so incredibly proud to be the home of the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, we will continue to stand with these families until their loved ones are brought home. That is our commitment to you.
‘And we will continue to fight the scourge of antisemitism, which has reared its ugly head in unspeakable ways, even in our home state. We’ll continue to pass tougher laws related to hate crimes. We’ll protect our institutions with more security grants. And we will make sure that Holocaust education is happening in our schools because so many people seem to be not aware of the history of what these individuals and their parents and grandparents have gone through.
‘Those are the values of New Yorkers. We stand together today to support Israel, to support the hostage families, and of course, Jewish people all over America are united.
‘Thank you very much. Let’s begin the march.”