New York Israel Day Parade Marred by Far-Right Israeli Minister’s Participation

On Sunday, New York City’s annual Israel Day on Fifth parade, attended by over 50,000 participants, featured a delegation of Israeli officials that included Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu. Smotrich’s presence marked his first U.S. trip in more than a year and occurred less than a month after the International Criminal Court announced a secret arrest-warrant application concerning him. The Israeli delegation marched separately from local elected officials, many of whom later said they were unaware of Smotrich’s attendance.

The Guardian

Smotrich, a leading figure in Israel’s settler movement, has publicly called for the annexation of the West Bank, the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian villages, and the destruction of Gaza. He has described himself as a “proud homophobe.” International sanctions were imposed on him and National-Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway for inciting extremist violence. In February 2023, Smotrich urged the “wipe out” of the Palestinian village of Huwwara. The ICC’s alleged charges include forced displacement, population transfer, persecution and apartheid in the occupied West Bank.

New York governor condemns Israeli minister's participation in Israel Day Parade

• Governor Kathy Hochul condemned Smotrich’s participation, labeling him a “far-right extremist” whose rhetoric conflicts with New York values.

The Guardian

• Attorney General Letitia James denounced Smotrich’s “hateful rhetoric” and affirmed that Islamophobia has no place in the state.

The Guardian

• Senator Chuck Schumer reiterated a longstanding condemnation of Smotrich’s extremism.

The Guardian

• Mayor Zohran Mamdani boycotted the parade, stating he was “offended” by the minister’s presence while ensuring police security for the event.

Arutz Sheva (Israel National News)

• Representative Dan Goldman expressed pride in marching to celebrate Israel but said he was “incredibly disappointed” by Smotrich’s appearance and had previously called for sanctions against him.

The Guardian

• Congressional candidate Brad Lander announced he would not march alongside Smotrich, citing Israel’s alleged genocide and opposition to additional U.S. military aid.

The Guardian

Left-leaning Jewish groups, including New York Jewish Agenda and Jews for Economic and Racial Justice, condemned the minister’s participation as antithetical to New York’s values. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro described Smotrich’s appearance as a “crash” and warned that his extremist views damage the U.S.–Israel relationship. The parade’s lead organizer, Mark Treyger of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), said the council was unaware of the Israeli officials’ attendance until near the event’s end and emphasized that the parade does not endorse any political figure or ideology.

Times of Israel

• The JCRC-NY asserted it did not invite Smotrich, while the Israeli Consulate in New York reportedly facilitated the delegation’s travel; the consulate declined comment.

Times of Israel

• Some sources claim the Israeli delegation’s list of expected participants omitted Smotrich and Eliyahu, whereas others suggest the consulate’s coordination was responsible for their inclusion.

The Guardian

• No New York elected official publicly confirmed marching alongside the far-right ministers, but the precise awareness of individual participants remains unclear.

Times of Israel

• “Bezalel Smotrich is a far-right extremist whose hateful and divisive rhetoric is fundamentally at odds with the values we hold dear in New York,” — Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York

The Guardian

• “Islamophobia has no place in New York. I unequivocally condemn Bezalel Smotrich’s hateful rhetoric.” — Letitia James, Attorney General of New York

The Guardian

• “I am incredibly disappointed that that occurred because I have called for his removal, I have called for sanctions against him,” — Dan Goldman, U.S. Representative

The Guardian

• “you can see in the participation of the far-right Israeli minister Smotrich, as well as a number of other ministers, a vision of annihilation, a complicity in genocide and, frankly, a belief that does not have much value for even the sanctity of children in Gaza” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

The Guardian

The episode highlights tensions within the Democratic Party between pro-Israel constituencies and progressive critics of Israel’s policies. It also raises questions about the vetting of foreign delegations at high-profile U.S. events and the potential diplomatic fallout from featuring officials under ICC scrutiny. The controversy has become a focal point in the 10th Congressional District primary, influencing candidate positioning on Israel-Palestine issues.

The Guardian

The primary contest between Dan Goldman and Brad Lander is expected to intensify, with Smotrich’s participation serving as a litmus test for candidates’ stances on Israel. Advocacy groups have called for clearer protocols on foreign official participation in future parades, and the Israeli consulate’s role may be reviewed by New York officials.

Times of Israel