NYC's Israel Day On Fifth Parade is today. The NYPD is concerned about potential disrupters.
NEW YORK -- New York City has increased security for the Israel Day on Fifth Parade today. This year's theme is "Bring Them Home," something families of hostages are praying for.
The parade kicked off at 11:30 a.m. The New York City Police Department expected crowds and was concerned about potential disrupters. Since Oct. 7, there have been hundreds of protests related to the Israel-Hamas war.
NYPD security for Israel Day On Fifth Parade
In a threat assessment obtained by CBS New York, the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau writes the parade may be an "attractive target for an act of mass violence or disruption," but the NYPD said there were no credible terrorist threats.
"There is a lot that's happening in digital world ... We've been very clear consistently -- peaceful protest is great. Violence, disorder, disruption, not permitted," said Rebecca Weiner, NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.
The NYPD said spectators should expect to see a large police presence, including cops on bikes, the K-9 unit, transit officers and counterterrorism personnel.
"We are taking everything into consideration. If you are at or around the parade, there will be certain measures that you will see, and there will be others that you don't see," NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.
The parade route, which runs 18 blocks from 56th to 74th Street, is fortified with chain-link fencing, and spectators have to pass through security checkpoints. Police said the fencing and checkpoints are not new this year and have been used to ensure security in the past.
"We are not going to allow any unlawfulness, any disruption of any celebration of one's heritage in the city," Mayor Eric Adams said.
"This parade ... is an affirmation of our love and pride, unwavering pride, in our Jewish identity, our Jewish heritage, our community, our unwavering support for Israel and the immediate release of the hostages, that they are returned home," said Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, which organizes the parade.
NYPD data shows Jewish hate crimes have spiked 60% -- 154 crimes so far this year, compared to 96 crimes during the same period last year.
"This is the most important parade of my lifetime," Treyger said.
"To someone who is afraid to come on Sunday, what is your message?" CBS New York's Mahsa Saeidi asked.
"My message is that we have the greatest police department in the world, the NYPD. The NYPD is really moving heaven and earth to make sure that this event on Sunday is as safe as humanly possible," Treyger said.
Israel Day On Fifth Parade participants hope to see support
"We're concerned, but we feel strong, and we feel unified and nothing's going to stop us," said Harley Lippman, CEO of the tech consulting firm Genesis10 and grand marshal of Sunday's parade.
Lippman feels anyone choosing to protest the parade is wrongly conflating politics with people.
"Why would someone protest this? This is about human rights. These are innocent people. One person here has an 86-year-old grandfather still kept there," he said.
"We still have 125 hostages held captive in Gaza," said Shany Granot-Lubaton, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Granot-Lubaton's relatives were captured and released, but she says their lives were ruined -- family members murdered, their house burned down. It's one of the many reasons she's marching in Sunday's parade.
"We're going to have over 3,000 people wearing these t-shirts [reading 'Bring them home now'] and wearing our signs and the hostages' photos, trying to make the world understand that these are real people," she said.
Omer Neutra, of Long Island, was taken hostage by Hamas 238 days ago.
"Really, it's just been unbearable," Neutra's mother, Orna Neutra, said.
On Sunday, his mom and dad will be surrounded by thousands of supporters at the parade.
"Twelve Americans were taken hostage. Eight are still there," father Ronen Neutra said.
"I'm really hoping that on Sunday, we'll see a large turnout from other communities as well," Orna Neutra said.
Friday, President Joe Biden announced Israel has offered a new cease-fire proposal to Hamas. Omer's family says now is the time to end the war, return the hostages and end the suffering in Gaza.
Orna and Ronen Neutra say Omer was supposed to attend university, and they want him to continue his life.
Israel Day On Fifth Parade street closures
The following streets will be closed on Sunday for the Israel Day on Fifth Parade:
- 5th Avenue between 52nd Street and 74th Street
- 5th Avenue between 74th Street and 79th Street
- West 52nd Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- East/West 52nd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- East/West 53rd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- East/West 54th Street between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue
- East/West 55th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- East/West 56th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- East 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 60th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 61st Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 68th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 69th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 70th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 73rd Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 74th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 75th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 76th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 77th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East 78th Street between Madison Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- East Side of Madison Avenue between East 70th Street and East 79th Street
- West Side of Lexington Avenue between East 70th Street and East 79th Street
- Madison Avenue between 54th Street and 51st Street
- 6th Avenue between 54th Street and 51st Street
- Grand Army Plaza between 5th Avenue and 59th Street
