Israeli Day Parade In New York City Editorial Photo

Israeli Day Parade, also known as the Salute to Israel Parade, is an annual parade held in New York City each summer to celebrate the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The parade is billed by the organizers as the largest meeting of people in support of the nation of Israel in the world. A typical Salute to Israel will include floats, marching bands, and various other participants parading 100,000 strong up Fith Avenue to the delight of some 1 million spectators. This year, the parade up Fifth Avenue is scheduled for Sunday May 23, 2010. The parade has been an annual event in New York since its first year in 1964. It draws people of all ages from Jewish schools and synagogues, and a variety of other organizations. Of course, a parade in support of the nation of Israel inevitably draws criticism and protests of a political nature. An annual accompaniment to the New York Salute to Israel Parade is the Palestinian protest, which consists of Palestinians and their various supporters. Despite the protests, the parade is a chance for the New York Jewish community to show their pride and support, and the Israeli Day Parade is a fantastic event bringing together a diverse and festive group of people every summer, and should not be missed.