UMVA has learned that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing intense backlash from Jewish groups for his decision to skip the city's iconic Israel Day Parade, a move that has sparked outrage and concern about rising antisemitism in the Big Apple.
The mayor's absence comes at a time when New York City is grappling with record levels of antisemitism, and the Israel Day Parade, which takes place on May 31st, is expected to draw a record turnout in response to Mamdani's snub. For decades, every sitting mayor of New York City has joined in the festive celebrations, making Mamdani's decision a significant departure from tradition.
According to information obtained by UMVA, two of the city's most prominent Jewish organizations declined an invitation to a Jewish heritage event held at Gracie Mansion in response to Mamdani's latest snub. Moshe Davis, a former Executive Director of the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, condemned Mamdani's decision, stating that not joining the parade is an affront to the history of New York City.
Mamdani had previously indicated that he would likely not attend the parade as a matter of political principle, but his renewed public confirmation has led to growing criticism. In response to the backlash, Mamdani's office referred to a statement he had given to a Jewish publication, emphasizing his commitment to equal rights for all people and his support for the Jewish community.
Community leaders say Mamdani's decision breaks with decades of bipartisan tradition in a city where participation in the parade has long been viewed as both symbolic and expected. Despite the mayor's absence, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has confirmed that she will participate in the parade, showing solidarity with the Jewish community.
Organizers say this year's event is expected to feature more marching groups than ever before, driven not only by support for Israel but also by concern over rising antisemitism. The event is also expected to feature expanded interfaith participation, with some Muslim groups slated to march alongside Jewish organizations.
The controversy surrounding Mamdani has widened beyond the parade itself, with the UJA Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York declining to attend his first Jewish Heritage event. Critics argue that the Israel Day Parade is not simply another political event, but a longstanding civic tradition closely tied to New York City's Jewish identity and history.
Mamdani has acknowledged the scale of antisemitism facing the city's Jewish population, stating that Jewish New Yorkers, who account for just 12% of the city's population, are also the targets of more than 50% of all hate crimes. He has proposed a $26 million annual investment toward expanding hate crime prevention efforts, but details of the proposal are still unclear.
Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, a former special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, criticized Mamdani's position, stating that leaders have a responsibility to uphold their duty to protect religious freedom and refrain from making incendiary comments that contribute to the rise of antisemitism.
