Mayor Villaraigosa throws support behind Israel

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa threw his support behind Israel this afternoon, backing the country in its latest strikes against Hamas and its invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The announcement, made during a news conference, pleased Jewish leaders in Los Angeles but sparked anger among local Muslim groups.

"I've been to Sderot and seen the wreckage caused by a constant barrage of rocket attacks," Villaraigosa said of the city in southern Israel. "I've met parents afraid to let their kids play in the streets and students unable to go to school each day. I've walked along empty roads, visited vacant buildings and witnessed the sheer destruction of a town decimated by eight years of missile strikes."

The mayor wasn't alone in his backing. He was joined by City Council members Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Jack Weiss and Dennis Zine. Jacob Dayan, Israel's consulate general to the southwestern United States, thanked the mayor and council members for their support at the news conference at the Jewish Federation's Goldsmith Center, on Wilshire Boulevard.

"At a time like this, in a fight like this, where the odds and the deck are stacked against Israel, thank God Los Angeles and thank God Mayor Villaraigosa are there to stand with Israel," said Councilman Weiss, who represents the city's 5th District.

The council members said they too have visited Sderot over the last few years so they could see for themselves the destruction that Villaraigosa had told them about after his trips.

The mayor took the stance that Israel is not the aggressor in this latest battle, which started 11 days ago and expanded to a ground invasion of Gaza on Saturday. The operation has left hundreds of Palestinians dead and thousands wounded in the Gaza Strip.

"No country would sit silently while innocent families are threatened and civilian lives are at risk," he said. "Israel is no different. It must act against the Hamas leaders targeting the innocent. And it must be allowed to exercise its right and responsibility to defend itself."

Villaraigosa said he personally has kept in touch with officials at the Israeli Consulate since the recent conflict began.

When asked why he didn't reach out to the city's Palestinian community personally as he did with Israeli Consulate officials and the city's Jewish community leaders, Villaraigosa said he would be willing to sit down with members of Los Angeles' Palestinian and Muslim communities to address any issues.

The mayor's news conference was followed by a news conference held by the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a national Muslim advocacy group, questioning why Villaraigosa would want to take a side on a battle about 6,000 miles away.

"Why is the mayor of Los Angeles dragging himself and his constituents into international conflicts in the Middle East?" the council's executive director, Salam Al-Marayati, said in a statement. "We elected the mayor to represent all Angelenos, not to take the side of a specific group of citizens on a foreign issue." The council's news conference was held at the Islamic Shura Center of Southern California, on Vermont Avenue.

The center also issued a statement challenging Villaraigosa's stance on Israel's invasion of Gaza.

"The Islamic Shura Council is disappointed and feels betrayed by the Mayor's one-eyed perspective on the tragedy of colossal proportions in Gaza," the statement said. "While we grant the right for the Mayor to his opinion, we also believe he is obligated to recognize all perspectives to any situation. The Mayor failed Los Angelenos in this regard and we hold him responsible."

The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California is an umbrella organization for mosques and other Muslim organizations, and the Jewish Federation is an umbrella group for Jewish organizations.

--Nathan Olivarez-Giles

Comments

[Jose]

I read on these blogs day after day about how a good 2/3rds of LA truly despises this Mayor...YET FEW get up and help to get the VOTE out to remove this FAKE.

He has shifted LA in to high gear on it's spin towards a THIRD WORLD ILLEGAL ALIEN Slum. All the while lazy a$$ people sit and type out their moans.

VOTE, get your neighbors to VOTE and remove this cancer from office.

[Yasmin]

I am so disappointed by the stances taken by Mayors Villaraigosa and Bloomberg since this conflict began. The Israeli lobby pays for their fancy trips to Israel and they never once step foot in Gaza (then again, how could they, nobody there is safe). But do they even care to look into the other side?

The strong partisan stance that U.S. politicians are taking in this conflict is not serving Americans well. It's hurting us: security-wise by creating more fertile grounds for extremism and financially by draining our tax dollars to aid Israel, an occupying force in the Middle East. Note, Israelis are not doing too badly, and yet they receive more U.S. aid than sub-Saharan Africa. And let's not forget that morally (just in case anyone cares), stopping Israel's unbridled aggression and suffocation of Palestinian civilians is the right thing to do.

It's high-time our elected officials do what's best for us and press hard for a just peace in the Middle East. Only then can we all look forward to a more secure, prosperous, peaceful future.

[Musa Sarkar]

LionInZion, that stll doesn't justify killings of hundreds of Palestinian children in the name of self defense. Just remember, God has given you another chance and with this much injustice and atrocities, He will take care of Israel one day.

[LionInZIon]

God bless Antonio for not caving in to the barbaric screaming and hate filled Arab groups in this city.

Remember their are 23 Islamic republics and 1 Israel. Leave Israel alone and no war period! If you mess with Israel they will defend themselves with extreme prejudice and have that right. Do some research and you will find Hamas is a terrorist group whose whole goal is the destruction of Israel. How could any person defend them??

[DiverseAngeleno]

Why I find the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles important is that it is an established, respected, mainstream non profit in Los Angeles. Yet look at how militant its pro Israel stance is.

http://www.jewishla.org/Home_Page.cfm

Any Muslim non profit that posts on its website such militant, unconditional, unquestioning support of Hamas would be condemned and ostracized by mainstream America and be investigated by the IRS. Yet the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles is the largest Jewish non profit in the city. The Jewish Federation has chapters all over the country.

The entertainment industry gives generously to this organization. (The idea that the high ups in Hollywood are progressive is a joke.)

I use to have reason to go into the building. I did not know anything about the Federation, I just know I did not feel comfortable. I'm white, not a Muslim, Jew or Christian. I try to be universalist.

Why is the one sided militancy of this wealthy non profit so acceptable?

[MB Villanueva]

I am disturbed by the Mayor's endorsement of Israel. I am part Mexican and part Jewish but cannot in good conscience support Israel's brutal tactics nor the Mayor's support for what looks like intentional violence against the already battered and fragile community in Gaza. Most of the world appears to be against Israel's seemingly reckless disregard for human life in this siege on civilians. It really seems as if Villaraigosa is simply after the Jewish vote in LA - his donning of a yarmulke just looked like some kind of Mexican minstrel show to me. It made me cringe.

[Ruby Medrano]

Antonio , I think you are making a lot of enemies. I hope people who read these comments don't think that all chicanos think like you. Many of us know our history and understand the plight of the people in Palestine,does 1848 and 1948 mean anything to you ? I don"t think I can support you the next time you run for office. RM

[Dianna]

Antonio, Antonio, Antonio, take care of your own backyard. Remember where you came from, and stop worrying about where you are going. Peace

[AllAboutMeCitizen]

Wait - so Villaraigosa is willing to support the "downtrodden" illegal aliens who "clean our toilets" but won't acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinians? Oh wait - illegal aliens are a voting bloc in LA. Zionists have money. This is all about the Mayor's gubernatorial and career aspirations.

He really is the All About Me Mayor.

[Penelope Lines]

As the elders would say: "the Mayor knows what side his bread is buttered on". Let him concern himself with cleaning up the filthy littered streets of L.A. or the even the horrific drug violence of his beloved Mexico. As long as the hardworking American taxpayer pays Israel 7 million a DAY (according to KPFK) to practice its brand of Naziism and genocide against the Palestinians -- the only group in the world by the way who would take them in, as illegal aliens, in the 1930s, the violence will only escalate! One Rabbi quoted in Z Magazine (Jewish editors) said "One million Arabs are not worth one Jewish fingernail." It has been wildly apparent that the leadership in Israel actually believe this madness. Any group, including the Mayor's own ethnic class, could be subjected to hate/genocide campaign if their land and property were desired by a fascist group. James Baldwin said, "If they came for you in the morning, they will be there for me that night."

[DiverseAngeleno]

Take a look at The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles' website, including its statement and talking points for unquestioning support of Israel.

http://www.jewishla.org/Home_Page.cfm

Everything is the fault and responsiblity of Hamas and the Palestinians. It is wrong for the mayor and a few councilmembers to associate themselves with such an ethnocentric organization as the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.

The Federation gives limited money to non profit agencies that are not completely Jewish. I once was a client at one of these agencies and quit. I did not like the sheltered, "us" atmosphere.

As a white woman living in Los Angeles, I have experienced the "Jews come first" mentality of some (NOT ALL!!!) of the Jews of Los Angeles who have a little bit more than most of us. Certainly of anyone who would donate to The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. I have Jewish friends of more universal beliefs and modest means who know what I am talking about.

I am interested in who the anonymous donors are who fund this organization.

[Taiba]

Since when has meddling in foreign affairs become a mayor's job? What was the purpose of going to this Israeli town and listening to how 'scared' the people are, while right next door hundreds are being massacred and thousands more are being severely injured?

I am truly disappointed with Villaraigoza's remarks and can now say that he does not represent me or the majority of people that I know. This discouragement will translate to loss of many votes in any future elections that he may partake in.

[DiverseAngeleno]

As for the non profit Jewish Federation - it is about unconditional, unquestioning support of Israel and Zionist causes. It is not about peace or dialog. Before people give money to non profits, know what they really stand for. And know who sits on their board of directors.

[Jake]

Our unintelligent mayor - who cannot father children in wedlock, or pass the Bar exam upon four attempts, is only about money. The westside Jews placate him because he caters to their every whim - when was the last time you saw a tamale stand blocking the sidewalk in front of the Israel Consulate? Yet we get to see it every day in front of other consulates in LA.

Where was Antonio during the protests of China enslaving and/or sending North Korean refugees back to North Korea to be tortured slowly to death?

This idiot is only about money. PERIOD.

[Imad Elias]

Truly disgusting. Why is it this guy's business to speak on this issue, other then for selfish political reasons? Our Mayor is advancing his political career at the expense of another people's death and misery. This is extremely immoral, and it puts Los Angeles at risk. As to Weiss' claim that the decks are "stacked" against Israel, what a joke. Israel is what, the 3rd or 4th strongest military in the world, fully nuclear. the best the Gazans can do, from their jail, is lob highly innacurate home made missile, a grad above fireworks. They can do nothing about the attacks from air, sea or land. Is this Weiss clown for real?

The most absurd thing is seeing Councilman Zine standing there. He is Arab-American. Our city's politicians are essentially whores. What an absolute disgrace.

[Wendy]

What a bunch of nonsense. It is clear that the mayor knows who owns him. IF he was truly mayor of a diverse city in a nation that supports equality . . . he would have stood for peace, not agression. He would have called for people to work together to bring an end to the massacre, not stand on one side and say that this form of destruction is justified because 'his friends' told him to. This mayor is a coward and a fraud. He is a disappointment to democracy.

[Taeo]

Hammas are cowards who do not care for the palestian people but they make excellent shields.

[Upset angeleno]

Villaraigosa,

You are a mayor of a city that is very diverse. You have jews, muslims, catholics, etc... you are intitled to your opinion only when your opinion is based on facts. Based on your statement, your opinion comes from your political re-election incentive, not from the facts from Gaza. It is illegal for anyone to cross the united states border without proper documentation... Does this give the right to the Border Patrol to use F-15 and tanks to kill men, women, and children that are crossing? If you believe in the rules of the jungle then this all makes sense and your statements are justified.

[Ehab Mansour]

This holocust and suffering going on in Gaza began long before even one rocket was fired on Isreal. You know that, and so does the rest of the world.
When history is written about this holocust in Gaza, the children and grand children of Villaraigosa, Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Jack Weiss and Dennis Zinea, will one day read in shame how these people supported it.

[Viki Day]

I doubt that turning truth on its head, and assaulting the most common sense of decency a human being has at his disposal, comes naturally to the Mayor. When the Ultimate Test is finally submitted to you, Did You Stand For Justice? how will the man in the mirror answer Mr. Mayor?

[Universal]

Jack Weiss is so corrupt. Read up on his dealings with Steve Sugarman, who was criminally convicted of bilking the DWP (the taxpayers) out of millions. Is Sugarman now running Weiss campaign to be the next corrupt city attorney?

Is Villaraigosa trying to outdo Bloomberg in his support of Israel? What next, is this litle AIPAC contingent going to run over to Israel again on the tax payer's dime.

All of this just shows how beholden Los Angeles and the rest of the country is to AIPAC and other wealthy pacs.

[Larry Linn]

Hama, like any combatants that use innocent women and children as should expect the innocent to become victims of their actions. Hamas should bear the guilt of their actions.

[Agnostic Observer]

The Palestinians should learn from the examples set by men such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi if they truly want to live in peace with Israel. Using terrorism as a weapon only leads to the suffering they are experiencing. Our destinies are in our own hands.

[Jan]

Attend the protest today at 4:30 at the Israeli Consulate (Wilshire and Crescent Heights) to protest the words and actions of the Mayor and Councilmembers Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Jack Weiss and Dennis Zine.

[jeanne]

This blatant kiss up to the wealthy Zionists (not Jews) of Los Angeles, California, and beyond by Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Jack Weiss and Dennis Zinea is revolting.

Antonio - you went to Sderot, what about Gaza? Gaza is a full blown HUMANITARIAN crisis. Journalists cannot get in. Civilian men, women and children are being killed. Disgusting that all the above individuals are willing to politicize that.

Jack Weiss - you are such a lying opportunist. Keep God out of this. US is founded on separation of church and state.

Antonio, remember your humble origins. IF you were a child over in Palestine today, YOU would be facing slow starvation and death in Gaza by the apartheid Israeli government. The Israel government would not give a damn about people with dark skin, LIKE YOU.

How about all of you doing your jobs, which is what all of us are paying you to do. OPPORTUNISTS, ALL OF YOU.

[Suhail Farah]

Mayor

Maybe if you visited Gaza once, some humanity might emerge in you.

[Scott]

For those suggesting the Mayor visit Gaza, it would probably be difficult.

After all, Israel almost sank Cynthia McKinney's boat (Green Party Presidential Candidate and former Congresswoman).

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/30/mckinney-aboard-boat-headed-gaa-intercepted-israeli-naval-force/

After all, Israel doesn't want anyone witnessing the Holocaust they are perpetrating on the non-Jewish civilians of Palestine.

[ali]

The Mayor is clearly paving the way to his ascent in politics by jumping on the blind support for Israel. Funny how Hamas is considered a terrorist organization when Israel is the one killing innocent Palestinian children in the name of defending itself and has been denying them of basic needs for years. Israel will not rest until they have tortured every Palestinian and occupied every area of Gaza. Is anyone really surprised by the Mayor's support?

[Ehab Mansour]

Mayor Villaraigosa,

You are a disgrace, and a sorry picture for humanity.

If you're going to get yourself invlolved in international affairs, then do your job and represent ALL residents of Los Angeles on this issue, not just the criminal minority who fill up your pocket-book.

At the very least, you should be standing in solidarity with local leaders that represent the communities and faiths that have been affected by this international tragedy, to denounce and condemn all forms of violence, demand a cease fire, immediate international intervention to resolve the problem, and immediate humanitarian aid to the lives that have been destroyed by this violence.

There is still a chance for you to redeem yourself Mr.Villaraigosa ! But time is running out.

Ehab Mansour

[Roberto Yanez]

The crimes of Israel on Gaza must stop! Villaraigosa go run the City, do a good job 1st and shut up! we all know you are a sellout and this is enough. Do not make it any more evident than it needs to be, we all know who is pulling the strings on you! Have some dignity!

[Robert V.]

It seems that the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Islamic Shura Council want the mayor of Los Angeles and all Angelinos to support a terrorist organization such as Hamas. Do they actually believe that Angelinos are that stupid or high on drugs? There statements just prove that they're Hamas supporters and terrorists living in Los Angeles.

[Miles Howard]

This is so disappointing to hear. After listening to Mayor Villaraigosa give a moving and wonderful speech against Proposition 8 at the big rally that took place in November, I am appalled that he would throw full support behind Israel, a country notorious for years and years of human rights violations (especially with the disproportionate force being extracted against Palestinians now).

There's a difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. It's too bad many people don't realize that.

[Todd C]

How can someone favoring equality for same-sex couples not have the same view toward Palestinians and their right to statehood? Mayor, you and Weiss, and the others, do not represent L.A. or the majority of Americans; you represent only your own political ambitions and biased, uninformed views. Shame on you for speaking in favor of Israel's terrorism at a time when over 500 Palestinians have lost their lives.

Mayor, you mention having witnessed first hand the fear in Sderot, but did you take time to witness the miserable conditions of the Palestinian people not far from there, conditions brought on by Israel's arrogance? No. Did you witness blood in the streets of Sderot? No. Do you not see the blood in the streets of Gaza now, mayor, blood of children and women spilled by those you praise now and support? According to sources: As of April 27, 2008, a total of 13 Israelis have been killed by Qassam rockets since the attacks started in 2001. For every 1 Israeli killed by Qassam rockets, Israel has killed about 100 Palestinians through various means. And now Isreal has killed over 500 more. I do not condone killing innocent people, regardless of who they are. But had you, Mayor, been present at the American Revolution, which side would have praised? Washington was leading a rebellion, not much different than what the Palestinians have been doing today. Would you have praised Washington’s bloody rebellion, or England’s imperialism? Sounds like you would have supported England’s imperialism to me.

[Ana Sanchez]

Mayor Villaraigosa is a disgrace to his community. He chooses to side with the rich and powerful, the Zionists from the west-side who can advance his political career, instead of the oppressed and downtrodden, the Palestinian civilians who are today being slaughtered for the crime of being Palestinians in Gaza. And Councilman Weiss has apparently lost his mind when he says, "at a time like this, in a fight like this, where the odds and deck are stacked against Israel".....it's the other way around! Israel has one of the most powerful militaries in the world, thanks to the nearly bankrupt U.S. taxpayer, and they're invading and attacking a refugee population that has primitive home-made weapons because every inch of the state of Israel is built on stolen Palestinian land. These politicians are without shame, lying to protect the agressor because they are co-religionists or have been bought by them.

[Peter Attwood]

It really is unreal that after watching Israel starve over a million people for 6 months in violation of the ceasefire - never mind international law or common decency - that the mayor could stick his mouth into this dispute, which a mayor of Los Angeles has no business involving himself in anyway.

He's so upset about the people of Sderot, though not enough to find fault with the Israeli politicians cynically using them to justify their crimes, but the malnutrition, lack of medical care, and starvation of hundreds of thousands is no problem.

There was a time, I think, that Mr. Villaraigosa would have recognized what it is when each individual life of one ethnic group is precious, while those of another are beneath his notice. Perhaps if the Gazans were Mexicans, that would jog his memory, but I dunno - maybe not.

[Disgusted]

"I've been to Sderot and seen the wreckage caused by a constant barrage of rocket attacks," Villaraigosa said of the city in southern Israel. "I've met parents afraid to let their kids play in the streets and students unable to go to school each day. I've walked along empty roads, visited vacant buildings and witnessed the sheer destruction of a town decimated by eight years of missile strikes."

REALLY? It sounds like parts of LA. Perhaps, the Little Man should work on fixing the parts of LA that resemble Sderot rather than make any statements regarding foreign governments. This doesn't concern him... he should be worried about the decimation occuring in his own backyard. Let's face it, he'll never be more than what he is now, a crappy mayor of a 3rd world city.

[Rt. Rev. James Babcock]

So the mayor has been to Israel. It's time for him to go to Gaza.. right now. Let him see first had the carnage wreaked by Israel upon the Palestinian people. After stealing their country and starving them to death our corrupt government has the audacity to punish the entire population of Gaza. Perhaps the corrupt mayor of Los Angeles should provide the same treatment whenever there is a flareup of violence in LA. Lets send some F-14's and Apache helicopters against South LA or East LA or Hollywood and see how the rest of the nation reacts. Even during the Watts and Rodney King riots we didn't have the armed forces bomb people for their criminal behavior. Shame on mayor Villaraigosa

[Concerned Angelino]

Why is this man claiming to be the mayor of Los Angeles instead of Tel Aviv?

He is truly corrupt.

[Matthew McGraw Thames]

"At a time like this, in a fight like this, where the odds and the deck are stacked against Israel, thank God Los Angeles and thank God Mayor Villaraigosa are there to stand with Israel," said Councilman Weiss, who represents the city's 5th District.

Really??? are people still buying this myth of a helpless Israel? Israel is the world's 4th most powerful military power, backed unwaveringly by us (the number one), Israel is a top 15 economy and we give it 8 billion dollars a year in aid (more than South America's 600 million people. Israel is a nuclear power and through its many groups in the US, can shape our Middle-eastern Foreign Policy. It is the Palestinians who are the underdogs, it is them that the odds and the deck are stacked against. It is a shame what they have to go through...but like the Apartheid before it and the Nazism before that.....Israeli policy of systematic genocide against the Palestinian, backed 100% by our politicians with questionable loyalties, will also witness its end one day.

http://cid-92aa638f9b6ea940.skydrive.live.com/play.aspx/.res/92aa638f9b6ea940!251/92aa638f9b6ea940!265?ct=photos

p/s With Villaraigosa coming out so one-sidedly on this issue you can bet it means he intends to run for higher office one day and wanted to pave the way by towing the AIPAC line.

[AAB]

Mr. Mayor,

It is very disappointing that you chose to take sides in an unjust war across the continent, and that too without taking into account the historical perspective, and without listening to all sides in the conflict. For example, you did not consider:

1. During the ceasefire, state of Israel continued to block borders of Gaza in violation of the ceasefire agreement
2. Israel continued its policy of targeted assassinations in violation of the casefire and all international norms and laws
3. Hamas rockets, while absolutely unforgivable, was nothing more than an equivalent of rock throwing, while blockage of all trade routes, aid and assistance to Gaza resulted in immeasurable suffering

And the list goes on. As a concerned US citizen, I would urge you to consider this matter fairly for all sides.

Sincerely,