Watch "Celebrate Israel" Parade, the largest demonstration of Jewish pride outside of Israel

On May 14, 1948 of the Gregorian calendar, Israel declared her sovereignty. Independence Day is celebrated in Israel according to the lunar, Hebrew, on the 5th of Iyar. (This year, it fell on April 27th). The Salute to Israel Parade or as it's now known, Celebration Israel Parade is held annually on the first Sunday in June- this year, on June 3rd.

Organizers claim 500,000 people participated last year, the first year the Parade was broadcast on NYC television. Enjoy this first-hand, on-the street coverage from last year's Celebrate Israel Parade held up New York City's Fifth Avenue. The event honoring Israel's 63rd birthday was held on June 5, 2011. The video segments include comments by Israel Amb. Michael Oren, Rep. Elliot Engel, Rep Charles Rangel, Grand Marshalls Eugene Gluck (a holocaust survivor) and Joseph Sitt of Thor Equities- who is redeveloping Coney Island. Dozens of community groups march and construct floats lauding various Zionistic qualities and characteristics.



This year, the parade is not without controversy, which attracts attention. Jeff Dunetz, who blogs at Yid with Lid, is encouraging Zionist groups to boycott the Jewish Community Relations Council's inclusion of anti-Zionist, leftist group, The New Israel Fund, and their affiliates (B'Tselem, Partners for Progressive Israel/Meretz USA), who lobby against Israel's government and military in international courts, and advocate 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' ("BDS") against Israeli-made goods in the marketplace.