Israel Day parade in NYC braces for pro-Hamas protests as thousands of Jewish New Yorkers take to the streets led by families of Oct 7 hostages

The annual one Israel Day parade inside New York City takes place Sunday along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, with increased security forces prepared to deal with it demonstrators distraught about the ongoing war with Hamas.

The parade has taken place every day for almost eight months since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, plunging the country into a war now mainly fought in Israel. Gaza.

Overall, this year’s parade will be a celebratory event, but the parade will strike a very different tone as organizers say the rallies will focus on solidarity with Israel and the Jewish cause, as well as the continued hope that the hostages those still in Palestinian captivity will be released.

Mark Treyger, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said the mood today is one of “confetti and music.”

“This is more an atmosphere of unwavering, rock-solid solidarity with hostages to bring them home, and also of our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

Security has been beefed up significantly ahead of Sunday’s Israeli parade on Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side

The parade, which has been going on for nearly 60 years — this year will be the 59th — starts at 11:30 a.m. at 57th and Fifth Avenue.

Organizers say they expect about 40,000 participants, including several official representatives of Israel, and some relatives of the hostages.

Treyger added that despite an alarmingly high increase in anti-Semitism since October 7, canceling the parade was never a consideration.

However, enhanced security will be in place to help participants reach the moment.

Drones, K-9 units, bicycle patrols, fencing and barriers will all be in place along the approximately mile-long parade route.

Large bags and coolers are not allowed on site and spectators are asked to pass through metal detectors.

On Friday, city officials said there had been no specific or credible threats prior to the event, and that protesters have the right to demonstrate as long as it remains peaceful.

Mayor Eric Adams, who has condemned the disruptive and sometimes unlawful behavior of anti-Israel protesters in the city, said: “We will not allow any illegality and any disruption to the celebration of anyone’s heritage in this city.”

Although there have been thousands of protests in New York since October 7 in connection with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Adams said Sunday’s parade will be the first large-scale Jewish event since the outbreak of the war.

Paradegoers, families of the hostages and others prepared to march along 5th Avenue today

New York law enforcement officials expect protests along the Israel Parade Sunday, which Mayor Eric Adams has made clear are perfectly acceptable as long as they remain peaceful

Since October, there have been thousands of protests in New York City in connection with the war between Israel and Hamas

Parade goers march past Trump Tower on 5th Avenue

Due to the continued grim conditions of the hostages and the war, there will be no music, bands or festive singing at this year’s parade.

The parade’s chorus will be “Bring Them Home,” the slogan that has become associated with the mission to return each of the hostages.

The event will end around 4pm on Sunday, after the full route has been completed. New York authorities expect this disruptions similar for those seen in the 2023 Thanksgiving Day Parade.

During the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade late last year, protesters unveiled “Free Palestine” signs as they rode on floats and participated in the march.