Mamdani skips Israel parade, while Jewish NYPD commissioner will march as marshal

Zohran Mamdani said he will not attend the Celebrate Israel parade, breaking a longstanding mayoral tradition. He stated that his presence should not determine whether New Yorkers are safe or secure, and that his administration remains fully committed to protecting safety and well-being at every event. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, will represent the city. The parade, in its 62nd year, draws tens of thousands of marchers and spectators along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and includes some adjacent demonstrators. The event is led by prominent Israeli and New York politicians and includes elected officials marching with their own teams. Eric Adams is expected to appear publicly for the first time since leaving office, posting that he will be there to express solidarity amid rising antisemitism.

"“I don't believe that my presence as the mayor should determine whether or not a New Yorker is safe or secure,” Mamdani said at a press briefing at One Police Plaza alongside parade organizers and NYPD officials, which was not livestreamed on the mayor's official social media platforms. “As the mayor of our city, I take seriously my responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of every New Yorker at every event, regardless of my attendance.”"

"Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, said she'll represent the city in what is widely considered the largest annual celebration of Israel's independence in the diaspora. The annual parade, now in its 62nd year, regularly draws tens of thousands of marchers and spectators to Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, and some adjacent groups of demonstrators. It has long served as a public display of support for Israel within New York's Jewish community."

"Eric Adams is expected to make his first public appearance since he left office on Sunday at the parade, saying in a video he posted on X that he "will be right there" to send a message of solidarity amid rising antisemitism. Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel who has described the war in Gaza as a "genocide," has faced scrutiny from Jewish leaders and Zionist organizations over his sharp criticism of Israel and embrace of Palestinian activism."

Read at The Forward