Thousands celebrate Israel on NYC, London streets

"Hold your flags up high and say Israel we are with you," ambassador to UK says as crowds celebrate state's birthday.

Banner on London bus 370 (photo credit: Jonni Berger)
Banner on London bus 370
(photo credit: Jonni Berger)
Thousands of people filled the streets of London and New York City on Sunday to celebrate the state of Israel's 65th birthday. 
Some 2000 people and 50 different organizations turned out for London's "Closer to Israel" parade. Israeli Ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub delivered a speech, in which he said that "Israel exceeds the wildest dreams of our ancestors. Today we are here to say thank you to everyone in Britain, we couldn't have done it without you." 
"Hold your flags up high and say, Israel we are with you, Israel we stand by you and Israel we believe in you," he urged the crowd.
Meanwhile in New York, Homeland Defense Minister Gilad Erdan, Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, MK Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid) and Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon attended the Salute to Israel Parade.
Lipmman expressed excitement on his first time representing Israel the parade, which was attended by thousands.
The theme of the New york event this year was "Picture Israel; the Art & the Craft." Participants brought paintings, collages and tapestries with the aim of demonstrating the diversity of Israel and its people. 
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report