Thirty-five thousand people marched in the fiftieth annual Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City yesterday.

The Associated Press reported:

Awash in white and blue — the colors of Israel’s flag — tens of thousands of onlookers cheered the celebration that also featured a model of an Israeli spacecraft. …

The parade stepped off late Sunday morning near The Plaza Hotel by Central Park, led by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Other dignitaries included New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Israeli diplomats and seven members of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

Mayor de Blasio was joined by seven members of Israel’s Knesset, including Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon, Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzachi Hanegbi. Israel Hayom quoted the head of New York’s Federation on the meaning of the parade.

“For 50 years, tens of thousands — Jews and non-Jews, young and old, led by New York City public officials — have marched up Fifth Avenue expressing their love for, and commitment to, the people and state of Israel,” John Ruskay, CEO and executive vice president of the UJA-Federation of New York, said. “One day each year we put differences aside and come together to make clear: We stand with the people of Israel as they resist violence and in their pursuit of peace. That’s what the parade is about each year.”

Movie star Samuel L. Jackson made an appearance at the parade that he shared with his 3.74 million Twitter followers.

Celebrate Israel Parade in NY today pic.twitter.com/AIUVMRYou5

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) June 1, 2014

[Photo: Phyllis K / YouTube ]