Tens of thousands of people marched through Manhattan on Sunday in the largest pro-Israel rally held outside the country, an event marked by heavy security and the emotional presence of six hostages recently released from Hamas captivity.
The annual event, renamed “Israel Day on Fifth” in 2023, drew an estimated 50,000 participants to Fifth Avenue, including Jewish community members, elected officials and supporters. This year’s march took on heightened significance as six former hostages - Eliya Cohen, Ilana Gritzewsky, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith and Aviva Siegel, and Andrey Kozlov - joined carrying photographs of 58 hostages still held in Gaza.
“We will not rest until they all come home,” the former hostages said in a message to the crowd.
All six were freed after spending months in Hamas captivity. Some were released during a cease-fire agreement in November, while others were freed more recently under a second deal.
The event took place under the tightest security operation in the parade’s six-decade history. The New York Police Department, led by Commissioner Jessica Tisch, deployed emergency units, helicopters, drones, canine teams, counterterror officers and thousands of uniformed personnel. For the first time, all participants were required to pass through security screening. While authorities reported no specific threats, the measures came amid a surge in antisemitic incidents and ongoing anti-Israel protests across the city.
Since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, city officials have noted a sharp rise in hate crimes. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have led to disruptions at public events, including Thanksgiving and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. On Friday, police arrested eight anti-Israel protesters in Union Square, including one person who climbed a statue of George Washington.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, who joined the march, said the city would not be intimidated. “There were those who called for this event to be canceled—but we will never surrender to fear,” Adams said. “We will protect every participant and respond forcefully to any disruption.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis also took part in the march. “The American public knows how to distinguish between allies and enemies,” Akunis said. “Support for Israel is far greater than what is often reflected in the media.”
Israel sent its largest-ever delegation to the event, including cabinet ministers, members of the Knesset, bereaved families and wounded Israel Defense Forces veterans. The official delegation was led by Ministers Miki Zohar, Nir Barkat and Yitzhak Wasserlauf, along with eight lawmakers.
The parade was first held in 1965 as a grassroots initiative by Zionist youth movements in New York and has grown into the largest Jewish public gathering of its kind outside Israel. Since 2011, it has been organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York with support from the UJA-Federation of New York.
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In 2023, the event’s name was changed from “Celebrate Israel Parade” to “Israel Day on Fifth,” reflecting a shift from a celebratory occasion to a demonstration of solidarity with Israel during wartime.
This year’s theme was “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”), referencing Israel’s national anthem. The parade’s central image was a colorful tree wrapped in a yellow ribbon—symbolizing support for the hostages and their families, many of whom were present.
“For me, it’s a way to tell the world what’s happening underground in Gaza,” said Cohen, who was freed in February after nearly 500 days in captivity. “It’s unimaginable. And the world chooses not to see. Today, we made sure they did.”