Supporters of the Jewish state marched down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan
this past Sunday, in the annual Israel Day Parade, the largest
demonstration of support for the State of Israel.
Some 35,000 marchers from 200 organizations headed up the avenue,
waving Israeli flags and taking pride in the miraculous achievements
of 64-year-old Israel.
While the predominant atmosphere of the parade is one marked by
ardent support, several organizations and American Jewish community
leaders chose to boycott the march due to the presence of
organizations supporting the Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions
movement.
These organizations were not only in attendance, but received
permission from the UJA-Federation and Jewish Community Relations
Council (JCRC) to march in the parade, masquerading as “pro-Israel”
and claiming to uphold the country’s most fundamental interests.
Among the organizations that took part was the New Israel Fund (NIF),
which has been the benefactor of hundreds of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that are keenly committed to de-legitimizing and
weakening Israel, economically and strategically, at home and abroad.
Also participating was Meretz USA, which urges a boycott of nine
Israeli products on its website, including Ahava cosmetics, as well
B’Tselem, whose chairman of the board publicly calls for “effective
sanctions,” aimed, primarily, at ostracizing Jewish communities in
Judea and Samaria.
The participation of these extreme leftist organizations in the march
aroused great anger among pro-Israeli organizations. (Arutz Sheva ran
a series of opeds on the controversy. To see the flier distributed to
make participants aware of the issue, and to read about it, click
here and here. Those who were pro-participation felt that the
opportunity for Jewish youth to march for Israel was too important to
pass up.)
Rabbi David Algazi, President of the World Committee for the Land of
Israel, said, “Are they not ashamed to allow the New Israel Fund to
participate in the march? This is a body that supports those who work
for the destruction of the State of Israel. This is the exact
opposite of the main goal of the march.”
He added, “A true friend of Israel does not work to promote de-
legitimization of Israel. The right thing should have been done and
the New Israel Fund should have been given one of the two following
options: Publicly announce, before the march, that you are against
harmful campaigns or do not participate in the march. Traitors must
not be allowed to attend the event as if they are friends.”
Following the procession down the middle of New York City, a concert
was held in Central Park - the Carl Freyer Tribute and Dr. Manfred
Lehmann Memorial event. The concert reaffirmed that there is no place
for organizations that promote BDS in the most esteemed demonstration
of support for the Jewish homeland.
It was sponsored by various Jewish organizations including Arutz
Sheva, The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and The Young
Israel. The moving spirit behind the concert are longtime proactive
Zionists, Dr. Joseph Frager and Dr. Paul and Drora Brody.
