For the first time since the COVID pandemic began in early 2020, New York's annual Celebrate Israel Parade took place on Sunday under the slogan "Together Again."
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Despite the unseasonable heat, which neared 90 degrees, tens of thousands of participants showed up for the largest pro-Israel gathering outside of Israel.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams participated in the march, saying that it was an acknowledgement of the special relationship between the city and Israel.
"We have the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Right here in New York... and it's good to be back. New York is back," Adams exclaimed.
The mayor then pointed to a sign he was holding along with an Israel flag, repeating its message: "We got this, New York. We got this."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai, Aliyah and Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata and other Israeli government officials also attended the parade.
Other high-profile participants included Grace Meng, a Democrat representing the 6th Congressional District of New York; Asaf Zamir, Israel's consul-general in New York; and Israeli Olympic medalist Ori Sasson.
New York resident Tova Friedman, who attended the parade said it was important to her, as a Holocaust survivor, to show that the Jewish people were alive. Friedman's grandson Aaron posted a TikTok clip ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day telling his grandmother's story. The clip went viral, garnering millions of views – mostly by non-Jewish users.
Aaron said he has "no idea" how the clip blew up, but there were so many people who didn't know the history of the Holocaust.
Congressman Ritchie Torres, a progressive Democrat who attended the event, told Israel Hayom that there was a need to send a "powerful message" that New York would continue to be a home for Jews and that the US would continue to be Israel's "best friend."
Torres said he supports Israel because of his progressive values, not in spite of them. "There is no better progressive story than that of the state of Israel. It's proof of the resilience and determination not only of the Jewish people, but all of humanity."
Video: Netanel Darshan
Some 200 Jewish and non-Jewish groups set up parade floats along the route.
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, executive director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, told Israel Hayom how excited he was to be taking part in the parade after two years.
"Especially in these tense days, holding the parade is critical for Israel's image and we were honored to take part," Fass said.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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