New Yorkers ‘Celebrate Israel’ with 55th Annual Parade

Floats in honor of the Jewish state paraded down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue along with marching delegations from Israeli and American Jewish groups.

By United With Israel Staff 

The annual Celebrate Israel Parade took place Sunday on Fifth Avenue in New York City, with organizers saying that tens of thousands of people took part.

Floats proceeded down the major Manhattan thoroughfare along with marching delegations from Israeli, Israel advocacy, and American Jewish groups.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon led the diplomatic delegation of U.N. ambassadors and diplomats from around the world who participated in the event, according to his office.

Among the participants were ambassadors from Australia, Germany, Ukraine, Norway, and other countries.

“In the face of the growing wave of anti-Semitism, we are demonstrating strength and unity today,” said Ambassador Danon, “despite the differences of opinion, the connection with the Jewish people in Israel is at the heart of the relationship between American Jewry and Israel.”

The German ambassador to the United Nations said that it was “wonderful to celebrate Israel…to have the city full of blue and white flags, to have so many of the international community demonstrate their support for Israel.”

Previously known as the Salute to Israel Parade, this was the 55th time it had taken place since 1965. The event has been run by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York since 2011.

This year’s parade was attended by the mayor of New York City, the governor of New York State, and elected American officials, in addition to Jewish and pro-Israel organizations and institutions, schools, students, and others, say the organizers.

Michael Miller, CEO and executive director of JCRC said that the event marks an opportunity “to set aside our differences and truly celebrate Israel.”