FULL: 2026 Israel Day Parade in New York City

Peloni: Don’t miss the double talking speeches by Sen. Schumer among other Democratic Party leaders in the second video at the bottom.

I understand the importance of the tradition of public officials participating in the Israel Day Parade, and the obvious implications of a Mayor governing over the largest congregation of Jews in America breaking with that tradition, but I see the realities surrounding this issue somewhat differently.  In fact, Mamdani’s evident policies and rhetoric supporting Jew Hatred and Jew Haters is self evident, and his presence at the Israel Day Parade would not only be a break with his policies and rhetoric, but it would have also undermined the honesty of the celebration simply by honoring him with any role in the celebrations which took place.  Indeed, when I watched the hypocritical statements of Sen. Schumer the Palestinian speaking about the concerns of the rise of antisemitism during the celebrations, I have to confess it made my blood boil.  In fact, the leadership of the Democratic Party betrayed the Jews of America with their support of the Mamdani mayoral candidacy, just as their betrayal also included the support of the policies which brought about the rise in antisemitic immigrants being actively shuttled into the US in general, and into New York specifically, while subsidizing the failing support of the Dems by actual Americans.

So, for my own thoughts, I think the mistake which was made was in the scorning of Mamdani for not participating in the celebration of NYC’s Jewish community and its support for Israel.  Instead, the promoters of the Israel Day Parade should have made it clear that Mamdani and his ilk should have no role in the parade at all.  Antisemites, no matter their titles or authorities should not be granted a platform to either spread their bile nor to hide their shame by Jewish communities.  If Mamdani had shown up, he would have done exactly this, just as Schumer the Palestinian did.  Jews must title such overt enemies as Mamdani as being too toxic to court, even when they control the political court which holds dominion over the Jews.  Jewish mollycoddling of those who weaponize Jew Hatred against the Jews is at least part of what makes such miscreants tolerable to the larger polity.

In fact, the real tradition which was broken is not that an antisemitic Mayor of NYC failed to address the Jewish Community at the Israel Day parade, but that the largest city of Jews in America is being ruled by an openly brazen antisemite in the first place.  This break with tradition, rather than that stated at the beginning of my comment, is what should be the focus of the Jews of NYC, the Jews of America, and the Jews around the world.  Jew Haters are our enemies, and we should not supplicate to them while pretending otherwise, even on a day as beautiful and enchanting as that which hosts the Israel Day Parade in NYC.   At least, this is my own view from afar.