Overview
- Dov Hikind publicly called on Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday for a National Guard deployment to protect participants at the Israel Day Parade, saying recent protests and incidents near synagogues raise safety concerns.
- Several state and local elected officials joined Hikind’s request, citing a need for extra manpower beyond the NYPD for the May 31 Fifth Avenue march from 62nd to 74th Street.
- Parade host the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York said it is not seeking National Guard troops and expressed full confidence in the NYPD and the joint Community Security Initiative with UJA‑Federation that is coordinating event security.
- The governor’s office has not committed to sending Guard members, and state officials said the State Police will maintain an increased presence while authorities monitor social media for credible threats.
- A Guard deployment would require state authorization and coordination with city law enforcement, and the debate highlights political and communal tensions over how best to protect Jewish New Yorkers before and during the parade.