Mamdani, Tisch agree on Israel Day parade security, but not on the parade itself

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News on May 28, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani, facing renewed criticism over his decision to not attend this year’s Israel Day parade, reiterated his stand Thursday even as he stood alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who called the parade “one of the most joyful days of the year.”

Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, is a strong supporter of Palestine and critic of Israel who pledged he wouldn’t attend the parade on the campaign trail last year. He has since reiterated that stand, despite the fact that New York City mayors have long marched up Fifth Avenue in support of the Jewish state and New York’s Jewish community.

This year, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Speaker Julie Menin and other officials are expected to attend – including NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

“While I will not be attending, our administration has been preparing for weeks to ensure the parade is safe,” Mamdani said at the parade security briefing, adding that he takes safety at events across the city seriously, “regardless of my attendance.”

Asked whether he’d be sending representatives of his administration to march in his place, Tisch — who is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel — pointed at herself.

“It’s the mayor’s decision not to march, and it is my decision to march proudly,” she said.

Tisch said at the briefing that the NYPD would be providing the parade the largest security detail in its history, amid threats synagogues in New York City and across the country. That includes the most officers assigned and the most heavy weapons teams ever deployed. Cops will be screening everyone entering the route: “If you think you are too important to be screened, don’t come,” she said.

Former Mayor Eric Adams, who last year tried to run on an “EndAntiSemitism” ballot line, took the opportunity to jab at Mamdani.

“As your mayor, I was proud to march in this parade for all four years I was in office – and this year will be no different. I’ll be right there, marching with tens of thousands of New Yorkers,” Adams said in a video posted to social media.

_____