The annual Celebrate Israel parade which draws tens of thousands of supporters to march along New York's Fifth Avenue, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, which organizes the Celebrate Israel parade, confirmed Monday this year's parade, scheduled for June 7, will not take place, according to The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).
In its place, a virtual event will be organized, the council's Executive Vice President and CEO Michael Miller said, as quoted by the JTA.
"We're saddened by the necessity of canceling this parade," Miller said. "Its absence on Fifth Avenue will be notable, but its absence in the hearts of New Yorkers, Jewish and non-Jewish, who support Israel is incalculable."
The first Celebrate Israel parade took place in 1965, and some 40,000 people participate in the march each year.
In addition, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all non-essential events scheduled for June would be canceled in addition to the Celebrate Israel parade, among them the Pride Parade and Puerto Rican Day Parade.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
