New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that he will not attend Sunday’s annual Israel Parade, while simultaneously pledging that his administration will provide unprecedented security for the event.

“I said on the campaign trail that I wouldn’t be attending the parade, and I’ve made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,” Mamdani said.

At the same time, he emphasized that the city’s responsibility to protect paradegoers remains unchanged.

“While I will not be attending, our administration has been preparing for weeks to ensure the parade is safe,” Mamdani said. “I take seriously my responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of every New Yorker and every event, regardless of my attendance.”

“I don’t believe that my presence as the mayor should determine whether or not a New Yorker is safe or secure,” he added.

“I look forward to this parade occurring seamlessly and peacefully.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who will be marching in the parade, announced what officials described as the largest security deployment ever assigned to the annual event.

“I’m so excited to march with you,” Tisch said in Hebrew during the briefing.

Citing ongoing threats against Jewish communities, Tisch said the NYPD will deploy the largest number of officers, the largest number of heavy weapons teams, and the most extensive screening operation in the parade’s history.

Every person entering the parade route — including spectators, participants, vendors, elected officials, and members of the media — will be screened.

“If you think you are too important to be screened, don’t come,” Tisch warned. “We are not messing around.”

Asked whether she was concerned by Mamdani’s decision not to attend, Tisch responded: “It’s the mayor’s decision not to march, and it is my decision to march proudly.”

To prevent possible vehicle attacks, streets leading to the parade route will be protected by hardened NYPD vehicles and heavy sanitation trucks. Intelligence units will actively monitor social media and online platforms for threats, while rapid-response teams will be positioned throughout the city.

Police will also maintain a heightened presence throughout New York City’s public transportation network to protect attendees traveling to and from the event.

Officials stated that there are currently no known threats against the parade.

Among the prominent elected officials expected to attend are Governor Kathy Hochul, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, City Comptroller Mark Levine, and former Mayor Eric Adams, who announced Wednesday night that he will also participate in the march.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)