NEW YORK (VINnews) — Israel’s parliament is expected to send its largest-ever delegation to the annual Israel Day Parade in New York City, set for May 31, according to a report by Ynetnews.

The delegation will include 16 members of the Knesset from both coalition and opposition parties, the report said. The group is set to be led by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Director General Moshe (Chico) Edri. In total, about 36 representatives tied to the Knesset are expected to attend, not including government ministers who may also participate.

The parade, one of the largest pro-Israel gatherings in the United States, is scheduled to take place along Fifth Avenue and draws thousands of participants each year.

According to the report, the decision to send an expanded delegation is intended as a show of support for New York’s Jewish community, as well as a response to positions taken by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding Israel.

A Knesset source told Ynet that “if there is a year to send such a delegation, it is this year,” describing it as a message of solidarity during a time of conflict and heightened tensions.

Ohana’s office said the move reflects concern over what it described as the mayor’s past statements on Israel and aims to demonstrate that “the State of Israel stands alongside” New York’s Jewish community.

Funding for the trip will be split, with the Knesset covering costs for eight lawmakers and the Jewish Agency for Israel financing another eight, according to the report.

The annual parade has taken on added significance in recent years amid rising concerns about antisemitism and growing political divisions over Israel, making this year’s expanded delegation particularly notable.