Yesterday’s Israel Day on Fifth Parade was incredible! A record-breaking 100,000 people participated, marching together to show their love for the people, history, and culture of Israel, and led by over 4000 members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, demanded the safe return of the hostages.

The theme for Israel Day on Fifth was “One People, One Heart.” Participants joined together to draw renewed attention to the more than 120 hostages still held by Hamas since their abduction on October 7, sending an urgent message to the world: “Bring Them Home Now!” They also came, in the face of rising antisemitism, to show unity and pride in being Jewish and Zionist. 

“This year’s Israel Day on Fifth was an extraordinary affirmation of our Jewish community’s connection to New York City and the State of Israel,” said JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger. “Our coming together was a demonstration of unwavering support for Israel and her people and pride in our identity as Jews and Zionists. It was also a call for the immediate and safe return of the hostages - we must "Bring Them Home Now!" In these challenging times, this year’s event was the most important we’ve ever had, and the outpouring of support from New Yorkers was overwhelming.”

The 60-year-old event welcomed and provided a platform for members of the abductees’ families and former hostages, as well as survivors of the Nova Music Festival and residents of several southern Israeli communities – including Kfar Aza, Be’eri and Nahal Oz, among others – who heavily suffered at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Israel Day on Fifth also featured more than 200 participating schools, synagogues, and other organizations from across the tri-state area and beyond as well as 26 floats.

Federal, state, and local elected officials, including Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Congressman Daniel Goldman, Congressman Mike Lawler, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Borough President Mark Levine, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NYS Assembly Members Nily Rozic, Grace Lee, David Weprin, Helene Weinstein, Jenifer Rajkumar, Jeffrey Dinowitz NYC Council Members Eric Dinowitz, Lynn Schulman, Jim Gennaro, Kalman Yeger, Inna Vernikov, Gale Brewer, Julie Menin and Mayor Eric Adams, attended the event to stand with the New York Jewish community. Israel Day on Fifth also featured several Jewish entertainers, including the star of the Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, Julia Haart, as well as Eurovision star Eden Golan. Jewish lifestyle influencers Lizzy Savetsky and Victoria Zirkiev were also in attendance. 

A big thank you to our CEO Mark Treyger, our entire parade team, and UJA Federation for making Israel Day on Fifth happen! 

An outpouring of support for Israel and its people and culture marked the day, as New Yorkers stood in solidarity with the Israeli hostages and terror victims as a delegation of 4,000 comprised of hostage families, their supporters, and members of kibbutzim attacked on October 7th sent clear message to “Bring Them Home Now!”

All photos courtesy of Perry Bindleglass Photography