Empire State Building in New York skyline. Photo: wiki commons.

The Empire State Building will light up blue and white in honor of the Israeli independence celebrations set for this weekend in New York City.

Over 35,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to attend the Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday, which moves along 5th avenue in Manhattan, and will include participants from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Israel.

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

The parade is organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, while the UJA-Federation of New York, and Israel, along with other groups, provide funding.

“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 said.