NYC Mayor Mamdani Boycotts Israel Day Parade

“I’ve made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,” Mamdani said.

By United with Israel Staff

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that he will not attend Israel Day on Fifth, which will be held Sunday, May 31, saying his opposition to the Israeli government is behind the decision.

Speaking during a security briefing ahead of the event, Mamdani noted that he had made his position clear during his campaign.

“I said on the campaign trail that I wouldn’t be attending the parade, and I’ve made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,” he said.

While standing alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mamdani emphasized that his administration remained committed to ensuring the safety of parade participants and all New Yorkers despite his decision not to attend.

The announcement drew backlash from Jewish leaders, who argued that the mayor was injecting politics into an event that has long served as a celebration of New York’s Jewish community and its connection to Israel.

Mamdani’s decision is the latest flashpoint in a long-running dispute over his record on Israel. Before becoming mayor, he was a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, repeatedly accused Israel of apartheid and aligned himself with activists seeking to isolate the Jewish state internationally.

The controversy comes just days after hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Gracie Mansion to protest the mayor’s positions on Israel and antisemitism. The rally, organized by Jewish advocacy groups and supporters, reflected growing tensions between the mayor and many members of New York’s Jewish community.

Israel Day on Fifth, formerly known as the Salute to Israel Parade and later the Celebrate Israel Parade, is one of the largest pro-Israel gatherings in the world. Held annually since 1964, the event draws tens of thousands of participants, including Jewish schools, synagogues, youth organizations, community groups, and elected officials.

The parade travels along Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 74th Street and is widely viewed as a celebration of Israel and the deep ties between the Jewish state and New York’s Jewish community.

Many Jewish leaders noted that previous mayors attended the parade despite disagreements with specific Israeli governments, viewing participation as a show of support for the city’s Jewish population rather than an endorsement of any particular Israeli administration.

As thousands gather for one of the city’s most prominent Jewish events, Mamdani’s decision to stay away is likely to deepen an already contentious debate over his record on Israel and his relationship with New York’s Jewish community.