Pro-Israel New Yorkers will gather on Sunday for the annual Israel Day Parade, celebrating the Jewish state. Notably, Mayor Zohran Mamdani will not be in attendance. This marks the first time in recent memory that the New York City mayor has opted out of the parade.

Mayor Mamdani reiterated his decision last week, citing his long-standing opposition to the Israeli government. According to parade organizers, while they believe he is the first mayor to forgo the event, they lack complete attendance records since its inception in 1964.

Mamdani stated that Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, an administration representative, would participate in the parade. He assured the public that security measures for the event would be more stringent than ever.

“I said on the campaign trail I would not be attending the parade, and I have made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,” Mr. Mamdani stated during a Thursday news conference centered on parade security preparations. The parade is set to commence at 11:30 a.m. in Manhattan.

“As the mayor of our city, I take seriously my responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of every New Yorker and every event, regardless of my attendance,” he added.

Standing alongside him, Ms. Tisch, who is Jewish and a longtime supporter of Israel, described the event as “one of the most joyful days of the year.”