Metro

Rep. Weiner skips two high-profile parades

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Where’s Weiner?

Embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner yesterday blew off two high-profile city events for key constituents he’s faithfully supported for years, choosing to hide from view in the face of an escalating scandal.

Under fire since a lewd crotch photo was sent to a Seattle co-ed from his Twitter account, Weiner was a no-show at the annual Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue and the Queens Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Parade in Jackson Heights.

Weiner’s staff ignored multiple requests for comment on why he was AWOL.

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Organizers of both parades refused to comment on his vanishing act, but fellow Democrats at the Israeli event had no such reservations.

“He cares about Israel and is very active in the Jewish community and he ought to be here,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

Former city Comptroller Bill Thompson, a Democrat who also marched, blasted Weiner’s bizarre response to questions about his infamous tweet.

“It’s become a distraction,” said Thompson. “It’s become a circus. Every answer raises another question. There are so many other important questions we are facing.”

Weiner has adamantly denied sending the tweet, but when asked last week whether the crotch seen round the world was his, he responded that he could not say with “certitude” it was not.

Gov. Cuomo said Weiner will have to decide how to put the controversy to rest.

“It’s going to be up to the congressman how he handles this, and people will have their opinion when they actually have the facts,” Cuomo said at the Israel parade.

Organizers of the Queens gay-pride march said Weiner didn’t RSVP this year, although he had a nearly 100 percent attendance record.

“He comes just about every year,” said co-chair Hank Krumhold, adding that Weiner has been a staunch supporter of gay rights. The parade has been held for 19 years.

Others at the event blasted Weiner for letting down the cause — and not responding to the question that has the entire country buzzing: Whose equipment is behind those gray underpants?

“All these guys are so hypocritical,” said Gale Richter, of Chelsea. “He should have shown up at this parade and said, ‘It wasn’t me.’ ”

Other attendees were more sympathetic.

“I think it was smart for him to stay away because he would be exposing himself too much,” said German Romero, 49, who, like Weiner, lives in Forest Hills, Queens.

Weiner, who has the coming week off because of a congressional recess, did not surface at his home yesterday.

Weiner’s wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton aide Huma Abedin, has been silent on her husband’s travails.

The underwear imbroglio erupted after a picture of bulging briefs popped up on the Twitter feed of Seattle college student Gennette Cordova, a follower of the congressman and an admitted fan.

After initially insisting that a hacker broke into his account and sent the photo, Weiner has been desperately trying to deflate the issue.

Weiner boasts a healthy roster of comely women as followers on Twitter and uses the social-networking site regularly to keep in touch with supporters.

sgoldenberg@nypost.com