Fifth Avenue in Manhattan was awash in blue and white on Sunday as tens of thousands of people from across the United States and around the world took part in the annual pro-Israel solidarity march. This year’s event was especially charged with emotion, as marchers demanded the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza and called for unity among the Jewish people worldwide.
Among the most prominent participants were former hostages, including Keith and Aviva Segal, Doron Steinberger, Eliyah Cohen, and Andrey Kozlov. They were joined by dozens of family members of hostages still held in captivity, delegations of wounded IDF veterans, Israeli government ministers, Knesset members, and leaders of Jewish communities from around the globe.
Watch the solidarity march in New York (video by Liri Agami):
Israel Is Not Alone
For the first time, dozens of United Nations ambassadors also marched, including Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, who declared: “This year’s parade is a demonstration of global solidarity with the State of Israel. The fact that so many UN ambassadors chose to walk with us—alongside returned hostages, their families, and wounded soldiers—sends a clear and powerful message: The people of Israel are not alone.”
Ophir Akunis, Israel’s Consul General in New York, also attended and stated: “The American public knows how to distinguish between allies and enemies. Support for Israel is much stronger than what’s portrayed in the media.”
Heavy Security amid Rising Tensions
The march took place under tight security, with thousands of NYPD officers, emergency units, drones, and helicopters deployed to safeguard the event. The heightened alert comes amid growing tensions and frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the city following the Hamas terror attack in October.
Wounded Soldiers Join the March
The Israeli delegation included IDF veterans wounded in recent wars. Idan Kleiman, Chairman of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, said: “Our wounded become ambassadors of Israel’s fighting spirit and resilience.”
March of Hope
Held annually for more than 60 years, the parade is the largest Jewish event outside of Israel. This year, it was themed “Hope”, symbolizing the ongoing fight for the hostages’ release and the unity of the Jewish people.
We Won’t Stop Until They All Come Home
During the march, Eliyah Cohen, a former hostage, addressed the crowd: “What’s happening underground is unimaginable. This march gives us a platform to share the truth and remind the world: we will not stop until every hostage returns home.”
Watch:
