Protesters clashed Sunday at the Israel Day parade in New York City, with a masked man holding a “kill the hostages now” sign.
This year’s parade focused on solidarity with Israel and calling for the release of the remaining 121 hostages in Gaza who were taken during the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.
One protester, dressed all in black and covering his face with a balaclava despite the summer temperatures outside, carried a banner that read “kill the hostages now.”
Another held up her phone with the message saying “they will not come home,” referring to the innocent Israelis taken hostage by the terrorist group.
The parade took place nearly eight months after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel, which launched the nation into a war now being fought primarily in Gaza.
The anti-Israel protester held up the disgusting sign during the annual Israel Day parade on Fifth Avenue on Sunday.
Another anti-Israel protester held a sign on her phone that said “they will not return home” in relation to Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists.
Police officers were seen trying to arrest the vile protester, who was wearing a mask to hide his face.
Mark Treyger, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said the atmosphere today is “confetti and music.”
“This is more of a feeling of unwavering and strong solidarity with the hostages to bring them home, and also our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity,” he said, according to the Associated Press.
The parade, which has been held for almost 60 years – this year it will be number 59 – began at 11:30 a.m. at 57th and Fifth Avenue.
Organizers said they expected about 40,000 participants, including several official Israeli representatives and some relatives of the hostages.
Treyger added that despite an alarming rise in anti-Semitism since Oct. 7, canceling the parade was never a consideration.
However, security was stepped up to help participants cope with the moment.
Drones, K-9 units, bike patrols and fences and barriers will be placed along the approximately mile-long parade route.
On Friday, city officials said there had been no specific or credible threats before the event and that protesters have the right to demonstrate as long as it is peaceful.
Mayor Eric Adams, who has condemned the disruptive and sometimes illegal behavior of anti-Israel protesters in the city, said: “We are not going to allow any illegality or disruption of any celebration of anyone’s heritage in this city.”
Although there have been thousands of protests related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in New York since Oct. 7, Sunday’s parade will be the first large-scale Jewish event since the outbreak of the war, according to Adams.
Appearing at Sunday’s parade, Adams, who was alongside Israeli singer Eden Golan, who recently represented her country at Eurovision, said: “Our message is extremely clear. Destroy Hamas and bring the hostages home. Let us bring peace so as not to lose the lives of innocent people.’
Security has been significantly stepped up ahead of Sunday’s Israel parade down Fifth Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Paradegoers, hostages’ families and others prepared to march down Fifth Avenue today.
Parade-goers march past Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue
Participants held hostage signs as they marched down Fifth Avenue.
A small number of radical Hasidic Jews arrived to protest the Israel Parade; his small faction shows up most years to demonstrate.
A small handful of ultra-Orthodox sects of Judaism, including groups such as Neturei Karta and Satmar Hasidim, do not recognize the modern State of Israel.
A large flag reading “Free them now” is displayed at the fifth Israel Day parade, which took place virtually without a hitch on Sunday.
Due to the grim circumstances of the hostages and war, there will be no music, bands or celebratory singing in this year’s parade.
The chorus of the parade will be ‘Bring them home’, the motto that has been affiliated with the mission to return each of the hostages.
The event is scheduled to conclude around 4 pm on Sunday after running the full route. New York City officials expect disruptions similar to those seen at the 2023 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
At the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade late last year, protesters unveiled signs reading “Free Palestine” as they rode on floats and participated in the march.