Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed he will not be attending the upcoming annual Israel Parade on Sunday, making him the first NYC mayor not to participate since 1964.<\/p>\n
For the last 61 years, every single sitting Mayor of New York City<\/a> has joined in the parade, which is the biggest such celebration outside the Jewish state itself.<\/p>\n The theme of the 2026 Israel Day on Fifth is “Proud Americans, Proud Zionists.”<\/p>\n In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), Mamdani said, \u201cI look forward to joining and hosting many community events celebrating Jewish life in New York and the rich Jewish history and culture of our city.\u201d<\/p>\n “While I will not be attending the Israel Day Parade, my lack of attendance should not be mistaken for a refusal to provide security or the necessary permits for its safety.<\/a> I\u2019ve been very clear: I believe in equal rights for all people everywhere. That principle guides me consistently,” he said.<\/p>\n NY leaders and Jewish officials condemn Mamdani\u2019s absence from Israel Parade<\/p>\n This is a dramatic break from last year\u2019s parade, which saw then-Mayor Eric Adams join 40,000 people marching in support of Israel and the Jewish people.<\/p>\n “New York has historically been proud of its deep relationship with Israel. Not joining the parade is an affront to the history of New York City,” Moshe Davis, former executive director of the Mayor\u2019s Office to Combat Antisemitism under Mayor Eric Adams, said.<\/p>\n