Thousands turn out for Celebrate Israel parade in NYC

Deena Yellin

associated press

NEW YORK — The Israeli rock music blared across Fifth Avenue as thousands of Israel supporters waved blue and white flags. They came from around the Tri-State area to participate in the annual Celebrate Israel parade.

Among the various schools, synagogues and organizations braving Sunday's overcast skies were 12 New Jersey groups who marched despite the raindrops, including Yeshivat Noam and The Frisch School in Paramus, and Torah Academy of Bergen County and Ma'ayanot High School of Teaneck and the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey in River Edge.

Many of the floats and marchers drew cheers from the spectators lining the avenue, including the "Chai Riders," who zoomed by on motorcycles draped in Israeli flags, the Areyvut Mitzvah Clowns from New Jersey, numerous marching bands, skaters and stilt walkers.

Representatives of Yeshivat Noam of Paramus marching in the Celebrate Israel parade in New York on Sunday, June 4, 2017.

On the heels of the attack in London, the NYPD security was out in full force with armed officers at every corner.

Elected officials who marched included New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, as well as Sen. Charles Schumer. In addition, several Israeli members of Parliament took part in the event.

And former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber served as one of the parade's grand marshals.

A delegation representing the government of the State of Israel marching in the Celebrate Israel parade in New York on Sunday, June 4, 2017.

The event, which regularly draws more than 40,000 participants, is the largest gathering in the world in support of Israel, organizers say. The event celebrates the diverse and vibrant state of Israel, born in 1948. The theme of this year's parade was "Celebrate Israel All Together," a call for unity. The event also celebrated 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem.

At the parade Sunday, Cuomo declared the day as Shimon Peres Day.

"Shimon Peres was a phenomenal world leader," Cuomo said. "He had been in public service for 50 years. Prime minister of Israel, president of Israel, foreign minister of Israel, but he was a leader respected internationally. When you were with him you believed and felt you were in the presence of greatness."