As organisers of a pro-Israel street rally finalised plans for their event later this month, a similar march in New York last weekend set them an impressive target to beat — with a claimed 100,000 participants.
Even allowing for the difference in Jewish populations (London: estimated 250,000; New York: just under one million), New York City’s Salute to Israel Parade last Sunday dwarfs London’s ambitions.
Organisers say that 100,000 people joined the parade, led by the city’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, as Grand Marshal. It featured 41 floats, 20 marching bands, celebrities and dignitaries. Sixty shofar-blowers opened the parade and 60 motorcycle riders carrying Israel flags concluded it.
On hand were participants including Russian ballet, Bukharin and Georgian dancers in costume, Israeli folk dancers, and ballroom dancers; strolling violins and klezmer bands; street performers, clowns, jugglers, and face painters; horse-drawn carriages, antique cars and super-luxury limousines; the largest hora in the world since 1948; and the Empire State Building lit in blue and white during the entire weekend.
