Defense Minister Ariel Sharon today praised the 18th annual Salute to Israel Parade as an expression of the deep friendship between the United States and Israel.
Addressing the thousands of viewers who lined Fifth Avenue to watch some 75,000 participants in the parade march the 30-block distance, Sharon said the Salute to Israel Parade “is for peace, security and the existence of Israel.” He said it was a “true demonstration” against those who try to isolate Israel, and “everything that threatens peace.”
In this context, Sharon took the opportunity to appeal to the many supporters of Israel “to stop the dangerous arms race in the Middle East” and the anticipated proposal by the Reagan Administration to sell sophisticated weaponry to Jordan, “Together we will march on toward our goal… peace and security for Israel, ” the Defense Minister declared.
Sharon made his remarks from the reviewing stand where he watched the many elaborate floats, marching bands and members of Jewish organizations from the tri-state area who participated in this year’s parade marking Israel’s 34th anniversary.
MARCHERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC
In spite of a steady rain throughout the afternoon, the marchers remained enthusiastic, singing Israeli songs, dancing Israeli folk dances and chanting slogans based on this year’s theme, “Am Yisroel Chai V’Kayam” and “Sites and Sounds of Israel.”
Many organizations and business firms sponsored colorful and elaborate floats, among them Bank Leumi; Abjac Energy Corporation, which prominently displayed small oil rigs depicting its gas and oil exploration in the Jewish State; the American Zionist Youth Foundation; the Israel Aliya Center; and Flatbush Yeshiva High School.
Added to the parade this year were thousands of “Balonaks,” a versatile new giant balloon created in Israel and being marketed in the United States. The balloons were used as a partial cover over the reviewing stand and also were carried by many participants in the parade.
Among the many dignitaries and officials joining Sharon on the reviewing stand were: Mosne Arens, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S.; Yehuda Blum, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN; Edward Koch, Mayor of New York; New York Senators Alphonse D’Amato and Daniel Moynihon; Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the World Zionist Organization — American Section, and other representatives of various Jewish Organizations.
The parade, as in the past, was sponsored by the American Zionist Youth Foundation. More than 100 national and local Jewish organizations provided support for all aspects of the annual event.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
