New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will not attend the city’s annual parade celebrating Israel on Sunday, breaking with a decades-long tradition observed by New York mayors and other elected officials due to his support for Palestinian rights.Mamdani confirmed the decision during a public safety briefing this week, saying he pledged during his mayoral campaign that he would not participate in the parade because of his views on the Israeli government. He stressed, however, that the city, home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, would provide extensive security for the event and ensure it proceeds safely.
“While I will not be attending, our administration has been preparing for weeks to ensure the parade is safe for all those who take part,” he said.
The annual parade along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue has long been considered a mandatory stop for New York politicians. The event celebrates Israel’s founding in 1948 and typically draws tens of thousands of participants, spectators, and political leaders.
According to local reports, Mamdani is believed to be the first sitting New York City mayor in more than six decades to skip the event for political reasons.
The decision has drawn criticism from some Jewish leaders and pro-Israel advocates who argue the parade is a celebration of Jewish identity and solidarity rather than an endorsement of any particular Israeli government.
