NEW YORK (VINnews) – Former New York City mayors Eric Adams and Michael Bloomberg attended the annual Israel Day Parade in Manhattan on Sunday, while current Mayor Zohran Mamdani stayed away from the event, a decision he had publicly announced during his campaign and reaffirmed in a radio interview Sunday.

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— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) May 31, 2026

Adams marched alongside Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who was attending the parade for the first time in his official capacity. Ohana said Mamdani’s absence marked the first time in the parade’s more than 60-year history that a sitting New York City mayor did not attend.

Speaking to Israel National News before the parade, Adams said his appearance alongside Ohana demonstrated solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community worldwide.

“We will stand together, we will fight together, and we will ensure that the entire globe knows that the people of America and New York respect and will stand with the people of Israel,” Adams said.
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Bloomberg, a longtime supporter of Israel, was also among those attending the parade.

It was also not immediately clear whether former Mayor Rudy Giuliani attended. Giuliani, a staunch supporter of Israel and New York’s Jewish community, publicly criticized Mamdani in the days leading up to the parade over his decision not to attend. Giuliani has long maintained close ties with Jewish organizations and has frequently appeared at pro-Israel events both during and after his tenure as mayor.

This year’s parade also featured what organizers and participants described as the first Muslim contingent to march in the event’s history. The group was led by Muslim interfaith activist Anila Ali, founder of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, who said she attended to show solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism.

Ali marched with several dozen Muslim supporters, including an imam and children, according to organizers. She said she had received threats and criticism ahead of the event but remained committed to participating.

I got to march with some incredible people today. @anilaali is such an inspiration about interfaith connection between Jews and Muslims. This was all organized by my friend Sheikh Musa Drammeh. @NYCMayor might be trying to divide us but these brave warriors are bringing us… pic.twitter.com/b63Vp1bl1v

— Moshe Spern (@moshespern) May 31, 2026

The appearance of the Muslim delegation was praised by Jewish community leaders as a sign of interfaith cooperation and unity. Mark Treyger, chief executive of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said welcoming interfaith partners to the parade reflected the organization’s commitment to community bridge-building.

Asked Sunday by Black Information Network host Vanessa Tyler about criticism surrounding his decision not to attend, Mamdani said he had been transparent with voters throughout his campaign.

“I’ve been honest with New Yorkers about the fact that I would not attend this parade,” Mamdani said. “I’ve made my criticisms of the Israeli government quite clear.”

Cardboard cutouts of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and First Lady Rama Duwaji at the Israel Day Parade after they skipped the annual event pic.twitter.com/wkeC1yavMV

— Steven Vago (@Vagoish) May 31, 2026

Mamdani added that, despite his absence, ensuring the safety and security of parade participants remained a top priority for his administration and the New York Police Department.

Ohana said he led the largest delegation the Knesset has ever sent to the parade, including lawmakers from both Israel’s governing coalition and opposition, in a show of support for New York’s Jewish community.

The annual parade drew thousands of participants, elected officials, community leaders and supporters from across the region to celebrate Israel and express solidarity with the Jewish state.

Muslims For Israel – yes, they are out there! pic.twitter.com/hRXUV378Fp

— Yishai Fleisher يشاي ישי פליישר 🕎 (@YishaiFleisher) May 31, 2026