May 6, 2002 - New York Post

Both Sides' Anger Spills Into Israel Parade

By SIMON CRITTLE

Photograph by Brigitte Stelzer/New York Post

CRASHING THE PARTY:
Pro-Palestinian counter-demonstrators wave placards near Grand Army Plaza as thousands of Israeli supporters march up Fifth Avenue yesterday.

As thousands of New Yorkers turned out for an annual pro-Israel parade yesterday, angry protesters transformed the traditionally peaceful event into a screaming match.

Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators faced off on either side of Fifth Avenue, waving placards and trading insults like opposing fans at a football game.

But the tension didn't dampen the spirits of well-wishers who enjoyed the sunshine as they cheered on 100,000 colorful marchers taking part in the Salute to Israel Parade. There were 200,000 spectators, parade organizers said.

The parade was led by Jewish scouts, including 16-year-old Erica Belkin, a girl scout who made headlines, after she was stopped by the scouting hierarchy from organizing a group to march. The decision was later reversed.

"I am so happy, very excited," she said as she strode through Midtown alongside her mother, a former scout leader and younger sister, a brownie.

In its 38th year, the noisy parade spanned the afternoon as marching bands and Jewish groups danced their way from 59th to 79th streets.

Gov. Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton joined in, as did dignitaries from Israel, closely followed by news photographers and a detail of security agents.

"It is terribly important that New York send a message that we are behind Israel and against terrorism. Terrorists will not beat us," said Bloomberg.

Former Mayor Giuliani, who marched alongside gal pal Judi Nathan, was a favorite among the massive turnout of spectators who waved Israeli and American flags.

As marchers headed uptown, cops on horseback kept apart opposing protest groups - each that numbered in the hundreds - in Grand Army Plaza.

In one incident, police dragged away a young woman, after she rushed toward the Palestinian side screaming. No arrests were made.

Jewish protester Gregory Drapkin, 14, of Brooklyn, said: "We have been provoked to the point where [Israeli Prime Minster Ariel] Sharon has to send in the troops. They [the Palestinians] are the ones allowing their children to strap on bombs to kill innocent civilians."

Palestinian-American Ahlam Salam, 18, of North Bergen, N.J., said she was protesting against Israeli occupation of their land.