NYC Mayor Skips Israel Day Parade, Citing Opposition to Israeli Government

The mayor said Thursday he will not attend the Israel Day Parade scheduled for Sunday along Fifth Avenue, citing his disagreement with the Israeli government. The mayor stated during a security briefing that he had made his position clear during last year's campaign and would instead focus on ensuring safety for all New Yorkers.

Tisch, serving as an honorary grand marshal, said the department will field its largest officer deployment and heaviest weapons teams ever assigned to the parade. Tisch added that the plan includes extensive camera coverage and mandatory screening for all participants, vendors, spectators, and press, with no exceptions.

Potasnik, executive director of the New York Board of Rabbis, told The Post that the event celebrates Jewish identity rather than policy and urged the mayor to march while maintaining his views. Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, wrote in a Daily News op-ed that the mayor was elected to lead all residents and that some may remember the decision.

The mayor noted he has participated in other 2026 parades, including Lunar New Year, Phagwah, and St. Patrick's Day events. Former mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams marched in the Israel Day Parade while in office. The annual event typically draws tens of thousands of participants and spectators, including community groups and students.