Former prime minister Naftali Bennett condemned New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's decision not to attend the annual Israel Day Parade on Sunday, calling it "cowardly."
"At a time when Jews are being harassed, attacked in the streets, and told to hide or apologize for who they are, choosing to march is an act of courage," Bennett declared in a post on X/Twitter. "It is a declaration that Jews will not be intimidated and that the Jewish state will not disappear because others wish it would."
Mamdani's lack of attendance, he said, sent a message.
"To him, I would say: leadership means showing up for all New Yorkers, including the Jews who call this city home," Bennett said, adding, "To every Jewish New Yorker marching today, and to every ally standing beside them: thank you. Your support is felt in Israel. Am Yisrael Chai."
Mamdani confirmed he would not be attending the Israel Parade last week, making him the first NYC mayor not to participate since 1964.
In 2024, Mamdani did attend the parade, posting on X/Twitter that he would "always stand by our Jewish brothers and sisters."
Netanyahu celebrates Jewish New Yorkers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also marked the Israel Day Parade on Sunday, saying that the people of Israel "embrace Jewish New Yorkers and friends of Jewish New Yorkers."
"For more than 3,000 years, Zion, Jerusalem's second name, and Zionism – attachment to Jerusalem and the land of Israel – have been foundations of Jewish identity," he said.
Netanyahu did not mention Mamdani, but also concluded his post with the declaration "Am Yisrael Chai!"
Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, said that it was "thrilling" to see New York's Fifth Avenue decorated in Israel's colors.
"Especially in this period when antisemitism is rearing its head and hatred of Israel is being encouraged by elected officials, we stand tall, proud of our identity, and proudly wave the flag of Israel," he declared.
'No one will make us lower the flags of Israel. Not in New York, and not anywhere else in the world."
Amid strong hostility towards Israel in recent times, the New York Police Department announced that all Israel Day Parade attendees would be screened for prohibited items, including weapons, drones, and large bags, parcels, backpacks, and coolers.
They also warned that road closures and delays were expected in the area of the parade, and that spectators would only be allowed entry from specific points.
Mamdani, in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), had previously stated that "While I will not be attending the Israel Day Parade, my lack of attendance should not be mistaken for a refusal to provide security or the necessary permits for its safety."
Anti-Israel ultra-Orthodox groups protest Israel Day Parade
Before the parade officially began, members from several anti-Israel haredi (ultra-Orthodox) groups such as Neturei Karta arrived to protest the event.
Several members of the group held signs bearing slogans such as "Judaism rejects Zionism and the State of 'Israel,'" and "Read the Talmud, Jews in exile are FORBIDDEN to have their own state."
Some of the haredi protestors also waved Palestinian flags.
Israeli Consul-General to New York says parade is 'most important march in history'
Israel's Consul-General in New York, Ofir Akunis, gave a speech immediately before the parade began, in which he called the event the "most important march in history."
"The Jews of New York are here to stay. The home of the Jews, the State of Israel, is here to stay!" he declared.
"Nobody will tell us where to live anymore. We aren't the weak Jews anymore," he added.
He concluded by calling the parade "a crushing answer to all of Israel's haters."
Muslim interfaith activist to lead delegation in Israel parade
A prominent Muslim interfaith activist plans to lead what organizers say will be the first Muslim delegation to participate in the Israel Day Parade, despite receiving threats and criticism for publicly supporting Israel and the Jewish community, according to the New York Post.
Anila Ali, a Pakistani-born civil rights advocate and founder of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, told the newspaper she intends to march alongside dozens of Muslim supporters, including an imam and several children.
Mathilda Heller and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.