New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani skips annual Israel Day parade, angers Jews

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the annual parade honoring Israel on May 31, breaking with a decades-long political custom because of his support for Palestinian rights.

Despite being known by different names over the years, the Israel Day parade has consistently attracted mayors, governors and other political figures eager to join the large crowds of flag-waving participants who gather along Fifth Avenue to commemorate Israel’s founding in 1948.

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Mamdani skips the annual Israel Day parade

However, this is not the case with Mamdani. Two weeks ago, the mayor’s office released a video commemorating the Nakba, the Arabic word for “catastrophe” used to describe the displacement of an estimated 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that followed Israel’s founding, the AP reported.

The video, which appeared to be the first such acknowledgment from a sitting NYC mayor, featured the story of a woman who was displaced at the age of nine, interspersed with lyrics about the Nakba, as she described the feeling of missing home, saying, “It’s the soft hills of Palestine that really touched me.

At a press conference last week, the NYC mayor said, “I said during the campaign that I would not participate in the parade, and I made my views on the Israeli government very clear.” But he promised a strong police presence to make sure everything went “smoothly and peacefully”.

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New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, attended the parade. During a press conference with Mamdani, she said, “It’s the mayor’s decision not to march and it’s my decision to march proudly.” She made the remarks on Thursday while standing by Mamdani’s side at the police headquarters.

Mamdani’s absence draws criticism

Mamdani’s absence, though long-awaited, has now provided fresh fuel for opponents who see his criticism of the Israeli government as anti-Semitic.

Rabbi Marc Schneier, founding chief rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue on Long Island and president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, which advocates for better relations between Jews and Muslims, called Mamdani’s decision not to participate in the parade “a slap in the face to all Jewish New Yorkers.”

He said, “Do us a favor, stay home,” adding, “We don’t need you. We don’t want you.” He also condemned Mamdani’s Nakba video as “propaganda”, echoing the concerns of other Jewish leaders who said it excluded context about the displacement of the Jewish people during that period.

Supporters of Israel were outraged, arguing that the video was meant to acknowledge the mass exodus of Jews from Muslim-majority countries or the role played by the mass killing of Jews in the Holocaust in the effort to create a Jewish state.

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Israel Day parade

The procession was attended by a delegation from the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The visit marked his first trip to the United States since March 2025 and came nearly two weeks after the far-right settler leader said the International Criminal Court was seeking an arrest warrant for him.

NYC mayors support Israel Day parade

The mayors of New York City, home to America’s largest Jewish population, have long been outspoken supporters of Israel and visit the country frequently. But Tel Aviv’s support among Americans has eroded deeply over the past few years, a trend that has accelerated amid the outcry over Israel’s military action in Gaza.

Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, remained steadfast in his pro-Palestinian advocacy.

He said he believes Israel has a right to exist, but not as a hierarchy that favors Jewish citizens. At the same time, he pledged to protect Jewish New Yorkers and highlighted the city’s work in the fight against anti-Semitism.

Key things

Mamdani’s decision reflects a significant shift in political norms regarding US support for Israel.
The controversy highlights a growing divide in American society on issues surrounding Israel and Palestine.
Mamdani tries to balance his advocacy of Palestinian rights while ensuring the safety and rights of Jewish New Yorkers.