Intense Safety at Peaceable Parade for Israel in Manhattan

1000’s of pro-Israel demonstrators marched alongside Fifth Avenue on Sunday throughout a closely policed Israel Day parade that took on a extra somber tone this yr because the battle in Gaza enters its eighth month.

The usually jubilant occasion, which has been held yearly since 1964, had fewer spectators in Midtown Manhattan than normal due to intense safety. The parade — which was anticipated to attract 40,000 individuals, all of whom wanted credentials to march — has been beforehand known as “The Salute to Israel Parade” or “Rejoice Israel.” This yr, it was renamed “Israel Day on fifth” and centered on remembering the hostages seized by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The occasion was largely peaceable and drew only a few counterprotesters. Police barricades, chain-link fences and checkpoints guarded by cops restricted entry to the route.

New York has had roughly 3,000 demonstrations associated to the Israel-Hamas battle since October, based on Mayor Eric Adams, most of them pro-Palestinian, and tons of of protesters have been arrested. No Palestinian flags had been in proof alongside the parade route on Sunday.

Nonetheless, moments of rigidity erupted between individuals and politicians. In the beginning of the parade, the arrival of elected officers, together with Gov. Kathy Hochul; Letitia James, the legal professional basic of New York; and Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat and the Senate majority chief, drew jeers from the group.

As Senator Schumer started to talk at Fifth Avenue and 55th Avenue, these gathered there demanded the return of Israeli hostages. At the very least one particular person shouted, “You betrayed us,” a reference to Mr. Schumer’s sharp criticism of the Israeli government in a Senate speech in March.