NEW YORK – Fifth Avenue turned blue and white on Sunday as more than 40,000 people gathered for the 77th annual Celebrate Israel Parade. With this year’s theme of Hatikvah — “Hope” — the march carried added emotional weight, as families of hostages and supporters called for their return nearly 20 months after October 7.
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The parade, stretching from 57th to 74th Streets, featured schools, synagogues, advocacy groups, and youth movements marching together. Yellow ribbons, hostage posters, and chants of “Bring Them Home” dominated the day, reminding spectators that this year’s celebration was tempered by grief and resolve.
“There’s more attention here than in Jerusalem,” said Yotam Cohen, brother of hostage Nimrod Cohen. His father, Yehuda, added bluntly: “The U.S. is doing more to free them than Israel.”
Floats carried released hostages and relatives of those still in captivity, while bystanders cheered, danced, and waved Israeli flags. Many said this year’s parade was not just about support — but about sending a message to elected officials ahead of local elections.
Dozens of local government officials and hopeful candidates running for office also joined the crowd, walking alongside constituents and speaking out in support of Israel and the hostages. Their presence underscored the political significance of the event, as well as the deep-rooted connection between New York’s Jewish community and the Jewish state.
“New York’s Jewish community must be visible,” said one Yeshiva University alum. “Especially now.”
So great to, once again, march side-by-side with our Jewish community at the Israeli Day Parade in Manhattan!
This event is more than just celebrating the bond between our city and Israel, it's about sending a strong message: hate and antisemitism have NO place in our city. pic.twitter.com/HFlcbxGf25
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 18, 2025
I'm proud to stand with Israel and it was a pleasure to march in the Israel Day Parade today in New York City. pic.twitter.com/fLA21Cxkf4
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) May 18, 2025
Spotted: Our EVPs Rabbi Moshe Hauer and Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph ready to march at the @JCRCNY Israel day parade! pic.twitter.com/QAaPlaS6Qr
— Orthodox Union (@OrthodoxUnion) May 18, 2025
Today’s Israel Day Parade in NYC brought tens of thousands of people together. We proudly march to show the world our unwavering support for Israel now and forever and in solidarity with the families and released hostages. We march with a resounding message – bring them home now. pic.twitter.com/5HjZtvn3la
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) May 18, 2025
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) May 18, 2025
NYC’s Israel Day Parade is the largest celebration of its kind in the nation, and I was honored to march with @NYPDSHOMRIMSOCI and our Jewish officers.
Thank you to the men and women of the NYPD and all our law enforcement partners who made today’s parade safe and possible. pic.twitter.com/Oi8XZl0DWw
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) May 18, 2025
The Jewish community in New York City is celebrating Israeli Day Parade. What do you notice about it?
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) May 18, 2025
Since 1964, the Israel Day Parade on 5th Avenue has celebrated Israel’s founding as a Jewish and democratic state.
I was proud to join many hostage families and march with my fellow elected officials in support of the critical American-Israel relationship, which must remain… pic.twitter.com/Bqs2uVssEF
— Rep. Dan Goldman (@RepDanGoldman) May 18, 2025
New York celebrates its annual Israel Day Parade, with this year's theme 'HaTikvah' – the hope that Israel's hostages will return@Mike_Wagenheim reports from Manhattan pic.twitter.com/zjF9C4momR
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) May 18, 2025
I was honored to march with fellow elected officials from across NY in this year's Israel Day Parade. This year's theme, "Hatikvah"—The Hope—has never been more meaningful as we stand with our Jewish homeland and work for a lasting peace in the Middle East. #BringThemHome pic.twitter.com/VZPz3CF8GK
— Beth4Congress (@BethDavidson17) May 18, 2025
Today as we celebrated Jewish culture and heritage at the #Israel Day Parade, we marched with one clear message: Bring Them Home Now. Thank you to @JCRCNY @UJAfedNY @MarkTreyger718 for organizing this important parade. 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/Fgl34zMJQn
— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) May 18, 2025
Now!
Tens of thousands are attending the Israel Parade as captivity survivors and hostages’ families advance with one urgent message: "Deal Now. Save All Hostages."Photo credit: Liri Agami, Dani Tenenbaum,Yoav Ginsburg#UntiTheLastHostage#BringThemHomeNow pic.twitter.com/ZxKfiMrCUA
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) May 18, 2025
Gov Kathy Hochul, Sen Schumer, AG Tish James, Rep’s Lawler, Meng, Goldman, Nadler and other NY politicians gather to lead off the annual Israel Day Parade pic.twitter.com/ENrxP9EgYe
— Elad Eliahu (@elaadeliahu) May 18, 2025
The Israel Day on Fifth Parade has been AMAZING!! Thank you to the thousands who came out! 🇮🇱✡️ @UJAfedNY @GovKathyHochul pic.twitter.com/FdEd8qWtIF
— JCRC of New York (@JCRCNY) May 18, 2025
Former hostages Eliya Cohen, Keith Siegel, Doron Steinbrecher, and Andrey Kozlov, along with family members of current hostages, all gathered in NYC today for the Israel Day parade.
Our country and our people everywhere will not be able to move on until every single remaining… pic.twitter.com/4NomhotL5Q
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) May 18, 2025
Am israel hi!!!
I may or may not agree with the parade, but I wish the media would make note how everyone who came showed their faces – unified and proud – No masks covering their identity.
Thank you mayor Adams and all who showed up!
Beautiful! That’s the spirit!!!! ליבי במזרח along with all the attendees.
This was the 61st Israeli Day parade (it was started in 1964), and not the 77th, as this article stated. I saw Menachem Begin years ago, after the parade ended, when he spoke in Central Park.
Very nice!
If they really cared, they would urge Israel to ensure the safety of Eretz Yisroel, including the Jews in Yehuda and Shomron, so what happened doesn’t happen again.
Chareidi Jews don’t participate in Pro Zionist marches to my knowledge.
This would be attended by Modern Orthodox & non religious Jews.
nice.
Politicians = vultured
Were the Neturei Karta there, as they’ve been in the past?
Seems like it was more of a protest against the Israeli government.
I feel like this is a missed opportunity for the schools under investigation for not having secular studies.
During the weeks leading up to the parade they should invite education officials to the schools as they teach the children to say in English, “A Jew is not a Zionist. A Zionist is not a Jew!” “Israeli government shame on you!” & “It was better to be a religious Jew under Stalin than under the evil, atheist Zionists”