Israel Day on Fifth Shines Light on Hostage Ordeal

The annual Israel Day on Fifth march in New York City takes on a somber tone this year as it highlights the plight of hostages captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack. Organizers aim to raise awareness and rally support for the hostages and their families.

The vivid memory of the tragic October 7 Hamas attack still lingers, casting a somber shadow over the annual Israel Day on Fifth march in New York City. This year, the event transcends its traditional celebratory nature, carrying a more profound purpose: to shine a spotlight on the plight of hostages captured during the assault and rally public support for their long-awaited return.

Harley Lippman, grand marshal of Israel Day on Fifth, expressed the heartfelt sentiment behind the event. "It has a more somber, more meaningful tone to it because it's all about the hostages," he told Fox News Digital.

Hundreds of hostages' relatives from Israel have been invited to attend the march, which aims to convey messages of love and support. "We want to show them the love and support that they so desperately need," Lippman said.

The horrific attack, which saw Hamas terrorists abduct hundreds of civilians, left an immeasurable scar on the lives of countless families. Over 100 innocent individuals remain unaccounted for, their fates hanging in uncertainty. Hamas's actions also resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, marking the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

"We want to make sure the world puts attention on them. It's going into its eighth month, and the hostages and the families are in terrible agony, and they need to get their families back," Lippman emphasized.

Israel's retaliation against Hamas in the wake of the attack drew condemnation from anti-Israel voices around the world. However, Lippman firmly believes that the event puts pressure on all parties involved to prioritize the hostages' well-being and expedite their safe return.

Lippman's recent visit to the site of the Nova music festival, where the massacre took place, left him appalled by the chilling evidence of atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists. "Women were tortured, repeatedly raped, mutilated and either slaughtered or taken hostage 'for no reason other than they were Jewish,'" he said.

The heightened security at Israel Day on Fifth reflects the anticipation of possible disruptions by counter-demonstrators. Lippman acknowledged the threat, stating, "We do expect there to be many counter-demonstrators, and we've heard that they're going to try to infiltrate the parade, come inside the various groups that are going to be marching and dancing and pretend to be part of the group and do things that are disruptive, like shout 'Free Palestine,' and things of that nature."

Undeterred, Lippman expressed unwavering determination. "The New York City Police Department has added 700 more police … there's added security in addition to that. So, we're prepared, we’re not intimidated. We feel strong, we feel united. And we're going to march, hell or high water."

Israel Day on Fifth commences at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in New York City, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing ordeal faced by innocent hostages and their families. The event aims to amplify their voices, demand their immediate release, and demonstrate that the world has not forgotten their plight.