Israel Day on Fifth Brings Out 44,000 Unified in Demanding ‘Bring The Hostages Home Now’

Israel Day on Fifth: A contingent of some 2,000 representing the hostages and families led this year’s unusual “Israel Day on Fifth” procession, followed by 40,000 more marching in support of Israel, calling for the immediate release of all the hostages still alive, and the remains of those who are already dead © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com, [email protected]

A contingent of some 2,000 representing the hostages and families led this year’s unusual “Israel Day on Fifth” procession, followed by over 40,000 more marching in support of Israel, calling for the immediate release of all the hostages still alive, and the remains of those who are already dead.

“What do we want? All of them.”

“When do we want it? Now.”

“Bring them home NOW.”

“Bring them home NOW.”

was the constant refrain over the hours and miles of the route along 5th Avenue.

Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, with support from the UJA- Federation of NY, the theme of this year’s Israel Day gathering was themed “One People, One Heart” and drew some 44,000 participants, Israeli and U.S. politicians, dignitaries, celebrities, and family members of hostages, calling for the hostages to be released.

“This is the most important Israel Day gathering in my lifetime,” JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger, the organizer of the event, said at the kickoff event, standing with family members of the hostages.© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“For decades, Jewish New Yorkers and allies of all backgrounds have marched together up Fifth Avenue to showcase their love and support for Israel and its people and culture,” wrote JCRC-NY CEO Mark Treyger. “This year, however, is the most important parade of my lifetime. On October 7th our community was changed forever; we suffered the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust and have seen alarming increases in antisemitism in the following months. This mega-event is not simply a response to the horrors we have witnessed and the trauma we have endured. Israel Day on Fifth is a strong, public affirmation of who we are and what we stand for.”

Senator Chuck Schumer calls for Hamas to release the hostages and negotiate and end to the Israel-Hamas War © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The event was designed to provide a platform for some 2,000 members of the abductees’ families and former hostages organized and led by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum as well as residents of several southern Israeli communities – including Kfar Aza, Be’eri and Nahal Oz.

UJA Federation CEO Eric Goldstein: “you learn who your friends are.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Federal, state, and local elected officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressmen Tom Suozzi, Ritchie Torres, Ron Goldman and Grace Meng and NYS Attorney General Letitia James and comptroller Tom DiNapoli were among those standing with the New York Jewish community.

“Bring them home now,” declared NYS Attorney General Letitia James. “Stand against hate.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Even in these challenging times, tens of thousands of marchers representing more than 200 schools, synagogues, and other organizations from across the tri-state area and asfar as Pennsylvania joined the march.

NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said, “When some say to divest, New York is increasing investment since Oct., 7. Bring them home now.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“For thousands of years, the Jewish people have been scattered throughout the world. In different conditions and countries, we have developed a wide array of customs, movements, languages, and rituals, which sometimes cause internal division,’ Treyger wrote. “If we zoom out for a moment, however, one can see how our differences do not define us.  All together, our diversity forms a beautiful banner of resilient Jewish communities. It is this banner under which we will march on Sunday: Am Echad, Lev Echad – One People, One Heart.”

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul stands for Israel and against antisemitism © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Before the march began, three New York Congressmen – Tom Suozzi, Ritchie Torres and Ron Goldman – held a press conference with families of two of the eight American hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 – Omer Neutra, 22 years old, who grew up in Plainview Long Island and deferred admission to SUNY Binghamton to join the IDF where he became a tank commander; and Itay Chen, 19, who was killed during the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, but his remains were taken and used by Hamas for a bargaining chip.

Congressman Tom Suozzi and the Neutra Family, constituents of Suozzi’s from Plainview, joined by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), and the family of slain dual US-Israeli citizen Itay Chen, call for the immediate release of Omer Neutra and all American hostages held by Hamas © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Where is the outrage? Eight Americans are still being held by Hamas, 8 months after the savage October 7 massacre of 1,200 including 45 US citizens, over 200 taken hostage of whom some 125 remain hostages, though it is unclear how many are still alive.

Where is the outrage that followed 13 American soldiers dying in a bomb attack as they tried to organize the evacuation of Afghanistan?

Where is the outrage that followed after 9/11?

Why is it that for the first time in American history, Americans being held by a terrorist organization does not provoke that level of outrage?

That’s what Congressmen Tom Suozzi, Richie Torres and Dan Goldman, want to know.

Members of the Neutra Family and the family of slain dual US-Israeli citizen Itay Chen, call for the immediate release of Omer Neutra and all American hostages held by Hamas © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“The American people, New Yorkers, have to recognize that Americans are being held hostage now by Hamas,” Congressman Tom Suozzi of Long Island said.

Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Congressman Tom Suozzi, with the family of slain dual US-Israeli citizen Itay Chen and Neuter family call for the immediate release of Omer Neutra and all American hostages held by Hamas © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“As Americans, never forget Americans are imprisoned in those terror tunnels,” said Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “We owe it to fellow Americans to secure their release, bring them home. In the rapidly growing amnesia of October 7, their names and stories must be front and center. The abduction of any one American should be seen as a crime against all.

“The international community is pressuring Israel, there is less pressure on Hamas to release hostages – that is  overwhelmingly one sided. Hamas is emboldened. All want the end of war. Above all else, release the hostages. The International community must put pressure flatly where it belongs, flatly on Hamas. Never forget the names of those in captivity.”

Congressman Dan Goldman: Gazans deserve a better life than under Hamas. Hamas use humans as weapons, as shields. We need all of us to pressure Hamas to end the war today – release the hostages and war will end.© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Congressman Ron Goldman (NY-10), standing with families of two of the eight American hostages held in brutal captivity, said, “I don’t remember time in US history where Americans have not been outraged when Americans were held captive. It’s not proportionate for these 8 hostages.

“President Biden has laid out clearly an agreement to end conflict. US, Qatar, Egypt, Israel agreed. If you want a ceasefire, an end to conflict, the one party you should be pressuring is Hamas. Hamas controls whether or not this war continues. If Hamas releases hostages, conflict will end. All of those who care about horrific conditions in Gaza, as we do, if you want it to end, direct your energy to Hamas, focus more on these families suffering, their loved ones remain held by terrorist group In Gaza.

“Gazans deserve a better life than under Hamas. Hamas use humans as weapons, as shields. We need all of us to pressure Hamas to end the war today – release the hostages and war will end.”

Grand Marshal Harley Lippman expresses outrage that Hamas is holding Israeli hostages as young as 1 year old © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

More typically called the Celebrate Israel Parade in the 60 years the event has been held, this year’s much more somber event was called “Israel Day on Fifth” but the energy was reminiscent of the early days of Israel’s creation, and its sense of fighting for its survival, against an international tide turning away, was palpable.

Dignitaries lead the Israel Day on Fifth march in support of Israel and demanding the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Among the marchers, members from colleges, faculty and students, countering the widespread pro-Palestinian protests:  Faculty Against AntiSemitism, CUNY faculty, Columbia Faculty & Staff Supporting Israel, and students from various Hillels on college campuses. “We Stand With Our Students: CUNY Faculty for Israel,” one sign read.

Hillel college students demand “Bring them home.”© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

And in a twist on the pro-Palestinian chant, “From the River to the Sea,” which calls for the eradication of the State of Israel, several held signs, “From the River to the Sea, Hamas Will Cease to Be.”

“We Stand with Our students” – CUNY Faculty for Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“This year’s Israel Day on Fifth was an extraordinary affirmation of our Jewish community’s connection to New York City and the State of Israel,” stated Treyger,. “Our coming together was a demonstration of unwavering support for Israel and her people and pride in our identity as Jews and Zionists. It was also a call for the immediate and safe return of the hostages – we must “Bring Them Home Now!” In these challenging times, this year’s event was the most important we’ve ever had, and the outpouring of support from New Yorkers was overwhelming.”

Here are more highlights:

“Bring Them Home Now”: A contingent of some 2,000 representing the hostages and families led this year’s unusual “Israel Day on Fifth” procession, © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Bring Them Home Now”: A contingent of some 2,000 representing the hostages and families led this year’s unusual “Israel Day on Fifth” procession, © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Bring Them Home Now”: A contingent of some 2,000 representing the hostages and families led this year’s unusual “Israel Day on Fifth” procession, © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Grand Marshal Harley Lippman expresses outrage that Hamas is holding Israeli hostages as young as 1 year old © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Government of Israel dignitaries at Israel Day on Fifth © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Gevurah, representing families of fallen heroes: “In their death they bequeathed us victory.”© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
UJA Israel at Israel Day on Fifth © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
American Zionist Movement of the World Zionist Organization at Israel Day on Fifth © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Holocaust Claims Conference © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“From the River to the Sea – Hamas will Cease to Be” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Congressman Ritchie Torres marches in Israel Day on Fifth © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Hebrew Academy of Five Towns, Long Island © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Israel Day on Fifth: Showing support for Israel and calling for the release of hostages © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
A small contingent of peace activists call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The traditional group of pro-Palestinian protesters were relocated outside the parade area as security was heightened for this year’s event © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Students of Hillels across several college campuses march in support of Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
American Jewish Medical Association © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Sephardic Heritage Alliance salutes the state of Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Christians Stand With Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Theme for Israel Day on Fifth: “One People One Heart”© Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Columbia Faculty & Staff Supporting Israel. Columbia University was the scene of some of the earliest and most aggressive pro-Palestinian protests © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Defenders of Democracy march for Israel © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Northwell Health © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Faculty Against Antisemitism Movement, a project of the Academic Engagement Network © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
End Jew Hatred © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Zioness on the march © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
North Shore Hebrew Academy, Great Neck, Long Island © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“One People One Heart”: Congress of Bukharian Jews of the USA and Canada, making the points of the many different cultures and peoples who make up the Jewish world community. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“One People One Heart”:Russian Speaking Jewish Community of New York © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“We Won’t Stop” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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