*Villaraigosa to speak on Gaza, express support for Israel
* Updated at 10:40 a.m.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is scheduled to speak this afternoon with Jewish community leaders and Israeli officials to express his support for Israel’s incursion into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Villaraigosa will say that Israel has the right to defend itself from rockets fired by members of Hamas into the Jewish state, officials said. Details on where the speakers will meet and who will be there will be released soon, the mayor’s office said.
After eight days of airstrikes, Israel entered the Palestinian territory Saturday on foot and by tank. Critics of Israel say its response to the rocket attacks has been disproportionate and that an unusually high number of civilians have died in the incursion.
* UPDATE: Mayor Villaraigosa will be joined by the consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, Jacob Dayan, and John Fishel, president of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, at the 1:30 p.m. news conference. The three will speak in front of the Jewish Federation Building at 6505 Wilshire Blvd., said Jonathan Powell, a spokesman for the mayor’s office. Dayan will issue a statement on Israel’s strikes against Hamas, and the mayor will speak on the war and his recent trip to Sderot, Israel, last year, Powell said. Members of the Los Angeles City Council are also expected to speak at the news conference.
-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles
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I applaud Mayor Villaraigosa’s support for the State of Israel. Islamic terrorism is on the rise and the world needs to eliminate this threat at all cost. Islamic terrorism has been felt in countries such as the United States, France, England, Israel, Spain, Denmark, The Netherlands, Morocco, Philippines, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Egypt, Kenya, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, Russia, India, etc.
I think it’s absolutely pathetic to sympathize with any Palestinian. Have we forgotten the Palestinian reaction on September 11, 2001? Palestinians from the West Bank to Gaza rushed to the streets in tremendous joy, pleasure and happiness after hearing fellow Arab Muslim brothers had crashed planes in the United States killing innocent Americans. Watch the video and judge for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrM0dAFsZ8k
Posted by: Jim | January 06, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Villaraigosa is an embarassment to the People of Los Angeles! I voted for him, and I am now regretting that even more! He must be a puppet of Jewish interests, its UnAmerican, Jewish people always place the interests of Israel 1st and the American people last! How many enemies have we gainned because of us supporting with out questioning the State of Israel...
The World was giving us a chance to lead the world again... This will only accelerate the decline of the United States as the leading nation of the world! If the Jewish people were truly looking for their best interest, and safety of their children, and their future. I would start by making friends, and treating the Palestinian people as human beings with human rights. We may be Israel's ONLY friend...what will happen to Israel once we are not strong enough to protect them, or have lost the will to stand up for them...no matter the price we pay. America is is tired of these none sence...its a time for change or we will stop to be the beacon of light of the free world.
God bless America
Posted by: Karl Miller | January 06, 2009 at 07:15 AM
He is paying his debt,
He doesn't know better
he is running for governor
There is no difference between what the israelites are doing and what bush did to Irak
Posted by: phronesis | January 06, 2009 at 07:13 AM
There are a few things readers should know about the Israelis.
The Zionist are so bloodthirsty because they can't help themselves. Because the number one goal of the Zionists is: the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
Milk and cookies, anyone?
The Palestine Review
http://palestinereview.com
Posted by: John Smith | January 05, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Is there a reason why Villaraigosa feels compelled to make this statement? What has the Hamas/Israeli conflict got to do with LA? Mystified.
Because we have a Photo-Op mayor who does nothing of substance and a press in Los Angeles who questions nothing about him.
It's all quite pathetic, we get the government we deserve.
Posted by: Bill G | January 05, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Is there a reason why Villaraigosa feels compelled to make this statement? What has the Hamas/Israeli conflict got to do with LA? Mystified.
Posted by: Pachuco | January 05, 2009 at 10:48 AM