The Big Apple’s annual Israel Day Parade hit midtown Sunday with a massive show of support for the Jewish state — despite spiking antisemitism that warranted a heavy NYPD presence.
Thousands gathered to celebrate Israel and demand that Hamas terrorists release Jewish hostages.
“I came out to support my dear and beloved country and to show that we’re never going to back down,” said Jacob, a 21-year-old student at the Staten Island Hebrew Academy, who braved the heightened police security to cheer on the marchers.
“It’s horrific,” he said of antisemitism in the city. “You gotta look over your shoulder and live in fear.”
Brooklyn resident Rita Malikima said the mood in the city scares her, but she felt compelled to show up for the parade to support fellow Jews.
“If we don’t speak up we can come back to the holocaust in Germany in the 1940s,” Malikima, 52, told The Post. “I think the more we support and the more we speak out the more people will understand that Israel has the right to exist and the right to defend themselves.”
Anti-Israeli turmoil has marred the city since the Oct. 7 sneak a attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which sparked a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
The war has riled up anti-Israeli sentiment and has led to massive — and often violent — protests and pro-Palestinian encampments on college campuses in the Big Apple and throughout the nation.
The NYPD heightened security for the parade, ordering police officers to arrest anyone who got past security perimeters for trespassing — while avoiding any busts that went against free speech rights.
Prior to the march, US Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) held a presser with other officials calling for Hamas to release Israeli prisoners who remained held by terrorists since the Oct. 7 attack.
“Put the pressure on Hamas where it belongs to bring these American citizens home,” he said.
With the congressman was the family of Sgt. Itay Chen, a member of the Israeli Defense Forces, and 22-year-old Omer Neutra, who were both captured and held by Hamas on Oct. 7.
“As New Yorkers we stand together,” Itay’s father, Ruby Chen, told reporters. “And what we need now from our fellow New Yorkers is to stand by us and stand with us and support all that’s been said here.
“We need this to end. We’re just family folks, we just want our kids back. And on October 7th this was also an attack on the United States,” the elder Chen said.
