The Empire State Building in New York will form the focal point of Manhattan’s Israel independence celebrations from June 1-3 when it will be lit up in blue and white in honour of the Israeli flag.

The New York landmark will also mark the route of the largest ever parade to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Jewish State on Sunday, on Fifth Avenue.

More than 200 groups from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Israel will take part in the event – which is organised by the The Community Relations Council of New York, in conjunction with the City of New York, the Israeli Consulate in New York and Israel’s Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs – with 35,000 anticipated participants and 29 floats. Hundreds of thousands of New York City spectators are expected to follow the event in the city’s streets.

The event will also be attended by an Israeli delegation including government Ministers Yuli Edelstein and Silvan Shalom.

“We are proud to be the major supporter of what is the largest annual pro-Israel event outside the Jewish State itself,” said John S. Ruskay, Executive Vice President of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York.

“This day is a celebration of the special relationship between Israel and America that is rooted in common values and goals. Like America, Israel is a strong, vibrant democracy, a symbol of freedom, tolerance and understanding,” Israel’s Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein told The Jerusalem Post.

The Israel parade will be televised live in the New York metropolitan area for the second consecutive year.

(Source: EJP)