Pro‑Israel New Yorkers will gather Sunday for the Israel Day Parade, but Mayor Zohran Mamdani will sit out, citing his long‑standing opposition to the Israeli government. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch will march in his stead, promising the city’s toughest security ever. The route runs down Fifth Avenue from 74th to 62nd Street, with checkpoints and road closures.

Public backing for Israel has eroded sharply since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza war, which left more than 70,000 dead and drew accusations of genocide from UN and human‑rights panels. Pew research shows 60 % of Americans, including 80 % of Democrats, now hold a negative view of Israel, fueling a tense atmosphere for the parade.

City leaders stress the event celebrates Jewish pride, not Israeli policy; Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and other officials will march, while several progressive groups and mayoral candidates have opted out. With heightened security and polarized sentiment, the parade tests New York’s ability to balance free expression with community safety.

Businesses along Fifth Avenue anticipate a surge in foot traffic, with restaurants and retailers expecting higher sales despite security disruptions. Sponsors view participation as branding to New York’s sizable Jewish consumer base, while critics warn the spectacle could deepen societal divisions and strain public resources.