New York Mayor Will Not Attend Traditional Israel Parade

(Patria) - New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani will not attend the traditional Israel parade, held Sunday on Fifth Avenue, breaking a decades-long political practice due to his support for Palestinian rights.

The parade, known under various names over the years, has been a mandatory gathering place for American politicians, from mayors to governors, seeking to win favor with the largest Jewish community in the United States.

Mamdani, however, previously announced he would not participate, and his administration two weeks ago released a video marking the Nakba, the Arabic term for the catastrophe that refers to the displacement of about 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war.

"I said during the campaign that I would not attend the parade and I clearly stated my views on the Israeli government," Mamdani said, adding that police will ensure the event proceeds peacefully and without incidents, AP reports.

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Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is of Jewish descent, announced she would attend the parade.

The mayor's decision sparked sharp reactions. Rabbi Marc Schneier called Mamdani's move a slap in the face to all Jewish New Yorkers, while other leaders criticized the Nakba video as propaganda that ignores the context of Jewish displacement during the same period.

Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York, remains consistent in his pro-Palestinian policy. He emphasized that he believes in Israel's right to exist, but not as a state that favors Jewish citizens.