Tens of thousands of people join the Israeli day parade
Monday, June 3, 2024
On Sunday, according to CBS News around 60,000 people from over 200 schools participated in the 59th annual Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The parade was reported to have had significant security and road closures due to concerns over attempts to cause disruption by protestors. The parade was said to have focused on the Israeli civilian hostages taken and held in Gaza since the October 7 incursion by Hamas, recognized by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization.
It was reported to have been a very somber parade. According to the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Mark Treyger, it was "not a mood of confetti and music". He added "This is more of a mood of unwavering, ironclad solidarity with hostages to bring them home, and also our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity".
The parade was reported to have included around 70 families of the hostages and 2,500 people from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group advocating for the return of the hostages.
The exact number of marchers is disputed. CBS News claimed that there were 60,000. The Times of Israel claimed that there were 45,000.
Sources
- Derick Waller. "Crowd of 60,000 marched through NYC for Israel Day on Fifth Parade, organizers say. See photos" — CBS News, June 2, 2024
- Jordana Horn. "At an unusually somber NYC Israel Day parade, supporters show determination and grit" — The Times of Israel, June 3, 2024
- "Israel Day on Fifth Parade: Road closures and security protocols to know" — NBC New York, June 1, 2024
- Deena Yellin. "Israel Day parade in NYC will draw thousands, and tight security. What to know if you go" — North Jersey.com, May 31, 2024
- Kali Robinson. "What Is Hamas?" — Council on Foreign Relations, April 18, 2024
