Thousands of people marched through the streets of Manhattan on Sunday (June 2) to celebrate Israel Day and to demand the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas in the October 7th attack.
The event drew high-ranking politicians including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Parade organizers this year turned the focus on the dozens of hostages - some of them American- who continue to be held by Hamas nearly 8 months after Hamas fighters launched an attack on Israel, killing more than 1200 people. Israel has retaliated with military operations in Gaza that have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The event featured the family members of several hostages, including Ronen Neutra, the father of 22-year-old Omer Neutra, a New York-born American who was taken captive by Hamas.
"The world should put pressure on Hamas, and Americans should know 45 Americans were murdered and 12 Americans were taking eight of them are still in captivity," Neutra told Reuters.
In addition, this year's parade also included former captives and families of captives, IDF wounded, bereaved families, and survivors of the October 7 massacre. The parade took place under tight security and with concerns of protests and violent events by pro-Palestinian activists. Since the outbreak of the war, there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across New York, culminating in campus protests that included violent events and calls to harm Jews and Israelis in the city.
"We have to recognize that Israel is still so changed by the events of October 7, and they're feeling very vulnerable. I think they're feeling very alone. Across the world and it's particularly important for the Jewish community of New York, this largest Jewish community outside of Israel, to show we love you, we care and we're here to support you," Eric Goldstein, the CEO of UJA (united jewish appeal) FEderation of New York, said.
