Celebrate Israel Parade

Israeli flags flown at the parade

Celebrate Israel Parade (originally Salute to Israel Parade) is an annual parade in support of Israel that takes place along Fifth Avenue in New York. The parade route is from 57th Street to 74th Street.[1]

According to the organizers of the parade, it is the largest gathering in the world in support of Israel. It has been held annually in New York City since 1964. In 2011, the parade was renamed the Celebrate Israel Parade in a launch event at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan.[2] The parade travels north on Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 74th Street.[2]

Contingents of marchers come from the New York metropolitan area as well as from other parts of the country Jewish day schools, Synagogues, Youth Groups, Hillels and other organizations including the Chai Riders Motorcycle Club. Parade day festivities include a concert in Central Park where kosher food is offered by local vendors. The Empire State Building lights its tower lights in a blue / white / blue color pattern.

Marchers also include prominent local politicians. In 2006, marchers included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York State Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, and then-future New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.[3]

Dates of the parade vary. The 2011 parade was held on June 5.[4] The 2014 parade was held on June 1.[5]

In July 2007 the United Kingdom-based Jewish Leadership Council, together with other UK Jewish groups announced that a UK Salute to Israel parade would be held in Central London and Manchester on June 29, 2008 as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel.[6] These events attracted over 45,000 people to simultaneous street parades followed by open air rallies in Trafalgar Square London and Heaton Park Manchester.

In May 2015, five Israeli Knesset members marched in the 51st annual New York parade together with representatives of pro-Israel organizations from across the US: Avraham Naguise, Yoav Ben-Tzur, Revital Swid, Ksenia Svetlova and Ofir Akunis. Akunis led the parade with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.[7]Some 30,000 marchers took part in the parade.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Thousands march in New York's 51st Celebrate Israel parade
  2. 1 2 "The Story of the Parade". Salute to Israel. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Sacks, Amy (5 June 2011). "Flying The Flag For Solidarity". New York Daily News. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  4. ↑ "Salute to Israel". Salute to Israel. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  5. ↑ Dobnik, Verena. "sea of white and blue at nycs israelday". Poststar.com. June 1, 2014. Accessed June 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Salute to Israel UK". Salute to Israel UK. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  7. ↑ Thousands march in New York's 51st Celebrate Israel parade
  8. ↑ Massive crowds celebrate New York's Israel Day parade

External links

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