May 6, 2002 - Daily News

Security Reigns at Big Parade

By AMY SACKS and LISA L. COLANGELO

Under a cloudless blue sky and a veil of heavy security, a crowd of tens of thousands jammed Fifth Ave. yesterday to show their solidarity with Israel. The colorful Salute to Israel Parade featured floats, music, flags, politicians and a pro-Arab counterdemonstration. Police helicopters hovered overhead, while cops and their bomb-sniffing dogs lined the route.

"I think we are very well prepared for any eventuality," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said early in the day. "We expect it to be a peaceful and festive day." And despite heightened tensions and some yelling matches, the celebration went smoothly.

"Given what's gone on in the Middle East, it is terribly important that New Yorkers send a message to the world: We are behind Israel and we are against terrorism, period," Mayor Bloomberg said before marching in the parade. "And if New Yorkers don't stand up today, I don't know when you would," Bloomberg added.

Deborah Leff of Far Rockaway, Queens, brought her five sons, who range in age from 2 months to 10 years old, to the parade. "We came to show our support for Israel," she said, as they waved as Bloomberg, Gov. Pataki and former mayors Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani marched together up the avenue. "We want to show that Americans and Israelis are together."

"There is so much togetherness here today," said Michael Antosofsay, a systems engineer from Manhattan. "It seems more important this year, than in years before to show how important Israel's friendship with America is."

Some paradegoers squared off with a coalition of Arabs, other Muslims and Christians, and Jews who rallied on 59th St. to support Palestinians. "We demand an immediate end to the Israeli military occupation, which is brutalizing and oppressing 3.5 million Palestinians," said Monica Tarazi, 24, director of the Washington-based American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Then there were those like Rivka Ben-Baruch, 16, who marched with Bruriah, a girl's high school in Elizabeth, NJ. "We're more united this year, than ever," she said. "I'm happier this year, than ever before."