Some reports stated "thousands" (AP), others said "tens of thousands" (Newsday), and WABC even reported "an estimated one million." No matter how one counted, however, it was clear that many people gathered in Manhattan yesterday for the annual Salute to Israel Parade.
Led by Israel's Tourism Minister Benny Elon, as well as NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump, the marchers showed their commitment to Israel by convening around the theme, "I Care. And I'm Going" - focusing on bringing North American tourists to Israel.
Most news reports gave disproportionate coverage to the relatively small groups of anti-Israel protestors, both Jewish and not, who came to make their voice heard. On the other hand, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion said he and a delegation of black and Hispanic clergy were planning to visit Israel last night to show their support. Other parade news-notes, in addition to the many groups who marched in the name of various synagogues, yeshivot and Jewish organizations, were: the musical concert that followed the parade; the Jewish Girl Scouts from Scarsdale, NY, who received last-minute permission from the national Girl Scouts organization to march in uniform; and reports that Minister Benny Elon had been accosted and threatened by Arab youths.
On the topic of tourism, the year has gotten off to a fast start for the Israeli tourism industry. Over the first four months of this year, the Tourism Ministry reports a staggering 86% increase over last year's figures during the same time period, with 433,660 tourists having visited the country as of April 30.
Led by Israel's Tourism Minister Benny Elon, as well as NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump, the marchers showed their commitment to Israel by convening around the theme, "I Care. And I'm Going" - focusing on bringing North American tourists to Israel.
Most news reports gave disproportionate coverage to the relatively small groups of anti-Israel protestors, both Jewish and not, who came to make their voice heard. On the other hand, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion said he and a delegation of black and Hispanic clergy were planning to visit Israel last night to show their support. Other parade news-notes, in addition to the many groups who marched in the name of various synagogues, yeshivot and Jewish organizations, were: the musical concert that followed the parade; the Jewish Girl Scouts from Scarsdale, NY, who received last-minute permission from the national Girl Scouts organization to march in uniform; and reports that Minister Benny Elon had been accosted and threatened by Arab youths.
On the topic of tourism, the year has gotten off to a fast start for the Israeli tourism industry. Over the first four months of this year, the Tourism Ministry reports a staggering 86% increase over last year's figures during the same time period, with 433,660 tourists having visited the country as of April 30.