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Zohran Mamdani became the first New York City mayor in more than six decades to skip the annual Israel Day Parade on Sunday.
Organizers said more than 50,000 people joined in this year’s march up Fifth Avenue, making it one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history. The parade took place amid heightened security and growing concerns about antisemitism following a series of recent attacks targeting Jews in the United States.
The turnout came despite Mamdani’s decision not to attend, a move that drew criticism from Jewish leaders and elected officials.
Mamdani, who has participated in other major New York City cultural celebrations since taking office, made clear during his campaign that he would not take part in the Israel Day Parade. He reiterated that position Thursday at a briefing on parade security.
“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,” Mamdani said.
New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch offered a pointed contrast. Tisch, who is Jewish, marched alongside other dignitaries and oversaw the largest security operation in the parade’s history.
“It’s the mayor’s decision not to march,” Tisch said. “And it is my decision to march proudly.”
Beautiful day marching up Fifth Avenue with @MikeBloomberg for the annual Israel Day Parade.
The NYPD was not messing around with security: this was the most extensive security plan that the NYPD has ever put together for this event so that everyone could celebrate safely.… pic.twitter.com/ey4GbpCwyi
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) May 31, 2026
NYPD: ‘We Are Not Messing Around’
“The NYPD has one of the most robust municipal counterterrorism capabilities of any city in the world,” Tisch said. “I am bringing all of that to bear.”
The security deployment included heavy weapons teams, drones, helicopters, horse-mounted units, explosive-detection canines, plainclothes officers, and hardened vehicles positioned to block potential vehicle-ramming attacks. Intelligence units monitored social media throughout the day for potential threats.
This year’s theme was “Proud Americans, Proud Zionists.”
Today, a record-breaking turnout of proud New Yorkers and proud Zionists joined us to show the world our love for Israel. 💙🇮🇱
Thank you to everyone who showed up on such a beautiful Sunday to march with UJA, including our special guest, Maya Regev, and all our partners and… pic.twitter.com/JRhkP4QEg0
— UJA-Federation of New York (@UJAfedNY) May 31, 2026
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