Israel’s UN ambassador leads delegates in support of Israel at NY march
In first, NY march sees envoys from Canada, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Ukraine, Romania and others join Danny Danon
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Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations led dozens of delegates from other countries, as thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets in support of Israel on Sunday.
Danon’s delegation was part of the annual Celebrate Israel Parade along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, this year marking Israel’s 70th anniversary.
Marching with Danon were ambassadors from several countries, including Canada, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Ukraine, Romania.
“In honor of the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, I am pleased to inaugurate a new tradition of a delegation of ambassadors in the world’s largest support parade for the State of Israel,” Danon said. “In the days when our enemies are trying to hurt us, it warms our heart to see the support we receive from our members in the international community.”
It is a great honor to lead a delegation of my fellow ambassadors to the UN as they marched in the @CelebrateIsrael parade for the first time! Israel is blessed to have such good friends all over the world! pic.twitter.com/n8gdkft2P4
— Danny Danon ???????? דני דנון (@dannydanon) June 3, 2018
Last month, Israel’s Consul General in New York Dani Dayan vowed that he and Culture Minister Miri Regev would take part in the general celebrations, following a report that Israeli diplomats had been barred from attending their own celebration due to security fears.
“Relax,” tweeted Dayan. “On 6/3 Minister Miri Regev and I, and all the diplomats from @IsraelinNewYork will march in the morning for Israel down Fifth Avenue and in the evening we will watch the closing presentation in Times Square. Everything is OK.”
His tweet followed a report by Hadashot news that diplomats and staffers at Israel’s New York consulate were warned against attending the event in Times Square, over fears they could be attacked while celebrating in the outdoor Manhattan landmark.
The New York City Police Department said Sunday that there were no specific threats against the parade that starts from 57th Street and proceeds up Fifth Avenue. But security will be tight, including more than 1,000 officers, bomb-sniffing dogs, sharpshooters on rooftops and radiation detection devices. Sanitation trucks filled with sand will block streets to prevent vehicle attacks.
NYPD Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison said the precautions were in response to threats of terrorism in Israel, the Middle East, and around the world. Police were also bracing for anti-Israel demonstrations.
The Times of Israel Community.