Expect large crowds and tight security measures.

About 40,000 people are expected to gather in Manhattan on Sunday for the annual Fifth Day Israel Day parade, which will take place under tight security this year amid tensions from the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Held since 1964, the parade is billed as the world’s largest gathering in support of the Jewish state. It usually features music, marching bands, and a festival atmosphere. But this year, the event will take on a more somber tone, following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.

Israel’s military response in Gaza has also sparked intense criticism of the country. The New York City Police Department said Friday that security would be beefed up Sunday as a precaution. He said the event could also spark protests.

While there is “no specific threat,” extremists may view the event as an attractive target for violence or disruption in light of the ongoing conflict, the NYPD said in a security advisory.

Israel’s Fifth Day begins Sunday morning

The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. and march from 62nd Street at Fifth Avenue to 74th Street. Access will be limited to five entry points along the parade, which is expected to end at 4 p.m.

Hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the theme of this year’s meeting will be “One People, One Heart.” The parade is expected to attract more than 40,000 participants, including politicians, dignitaries, celebrities and relatives of Israeli and American hostages. It will also have 200 schools, synagogues and other organizations.

Dozens of New Jersey delegations are expected to participate this year as they have in previous years (when the event was called the “Celebrate Israel” parade).

Among this year’s participants will be Ma’ayanot Yeshiva Girls’ High School in Teaneck. The school has always sent a delegation, but this year more students signed up, said school principal CB Neugroschl.

“It’s a beautiful way to cap off a year in which we learned how important it is to show up and be proud of our Jewish community,” he said. “These core values have been crystallized for our students this year. They see how activism is fundamental to the Jewish community and we are proud of them.”

Show “pride to be Jewish and Zionist”

Anti-Semitism has increased dramatically since the October 7 attack and Israel’s subsequent campaign in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of some 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

Further:With Israel under fire, New York plays and exhibits the traumas of the October 7 attack

This year’s event is one of the most important in its history because it offers the Jewish community the opportunity to “unite in the face of growing anti-Semitism in a strong show of unity and pride in being Jewish and Zionist,” said spokesperson Tzipporah Shapiro. for the Jewish Community Relations Council.

The victims of October 7, and the hostages still believed to be held by Hamas, will be the main focus, he added. The procession is expected to include about 1,500 guests, who are relatives of those kidnapped, survivors of the massacre at the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel or other Israeli residents targeted in the attack.

Together, participants will show their support for the people of Israel and “draw renewed attention to the more than 120 hostages still being held,” Shapiro said, “sending an urgent message to the world to ‘Bring them home now!’ “.

“We are thrilled to have so many people from the northern New Jersey area attend,” added Jason Shames, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey in Paramus. “This year more than ever it is important that we all show Israel and the world how committed we are to our only Jewish Homeland.”

If you go: access and security guide

The safety guide on the parade website says backpacks are not allowed. Neither are large bags, umbrellas, lawn or other folding chairs, coolers, drones or other large items, including flags and banners, that may obstruct the view of others. Anyone bringing such items may have them taken away, according to the website.

“This year, safety is our first consideration,” he says.

The website also offers these tips:

Space is limited. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early. Once spectator areas reach capacity, no additional spectators will be admitted until other spectators leave.
All spectators will be screened through metal detectors operated by NYPD officers. Access to the Fifth Avenue viewing area will be limited to 61st, 63rd, 66th, 70th and 73rd Streets from Madison Avenue. Those who have businesses on those blocks (e.g., residents, employees, visitors) or on Fifth Avenue itself will have access to the sidewalks.
No one carrying a prohibited item will be allowed into the viewing area. Anyone carrying a prohibited item may choose to dispose of the prohibited item if they still wish to enter the viewing area.
To avoid dangerous situations, if spectator viewing areas adjacent to 61st, 63rd, 66th, 70th and 73rd Streets reach capacity, that block will be closed and those wishing to view on Fifth Avenue will be directed to other blocks.

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