United States Senators Schumer and Gillibrand
Thousands of Jewish New Yorkers marched up Fifth Ave. Sunday waving blue-and-white flags in a celebration of Israel that temporarily outshined the latest Middle Eastern politics.
The annual Celebrate Israel Parade drew scores of elected officials and residents from the tristate area eager to show their backing for Israel.
David Sitzer, 58, has been attending for nearly 40 years.
"It's great that more people showed than last year to support Israel in these times," he said.
Like many others along the parade route, he questioned President Obama's Mideast peace plan that calls for Israel's 1967 borders to be used as a starting point.
"They want to try to deal in a democratic way with people who want to destroy us," Sitzer said.
Mayor Bloomberg, who led the parade up Fifth Ave. from 57th St. to 74th St., voiced similar concerns about the President's proposals.
"Israel is surrounded by people who want to kill them," he said. "You don't negotiate with people like that."
Jocelyn Feuerstein, 45, was even more direct.
"When America decides to give back the land it took from the Native Americans, then Israel will have a model to follow," she said.
Not everyone was as skeptical.
"I love Obama and I'm a Jewish person and I think that probably isn't a bad idea," said Dale Markfield, who was in town visiting her 1-year-old granddaughter, Zoe. "I think we need to make peace, and Israel should try whatever it takes to make peace."
The Albuquerque resident moved Zoe's stroller closer to the metal police barriers as each marching band and local youth group with colorful signs and T-shirts strolled past.
The parade has special meaning for Avi Pinsker, 58. "My favorite part is seeing all these young kids committed to the continuance of Israel - and the support of New Yorkers," said Pinsker, whose daughter lives in Israel.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...of_israel.html
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