Zohran Mamdani skips Israel Day parade, breaking decades-old New York tradition

New York city mayor, Zohran Mamdani sparked fresh political controversy by not attending the annual Israel day parade. Breaking the decades old tradition, decision comes just weeks after Mamdani’s administration released a video commemorating the Nakba.The Israel Day parade, celebrated the birth of the Jewish state in 1948 and always been a must attend event for mayors, governors and other political leaders.Speaking ahead of the parade, Mamdani reiterated that he had made his position on the Israeli government clear during the campaign and saw no reason to change his stance. He stressed that the city would ensure the event safety, pledging a strong police presence.Mamdani decision drew criticism from several Jewish leaders. Rabbi Marc Schneier, founding senior rabbi of the Hampton synagogue called the absence a ‘slap in the place’ to Jewish New Yorkers.The controversy surrounding the Mamdani decision was amplified by a video released by his office. The video commemorated the Nakba, an Arabic term meaning catastrophe, describe the displacement of 7,00,000 people during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.The controversy has once again highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the Isreal-Palestine conflict. While Mamdani supporters see his stance as a reflection of his commitment to Palestinian rights, critics view its as break from a long-standing solidarity with New York Jewish community.