Calif. Pro-Israel rallies draw political heavyweights - story and pics

[Kadie]

Calif. Pro-Israel rallies draw political heavyweights
By ERIC BERKOWITZ, Associated Press Writer

Sunday, July 23, 2006

(07-23) 20:04 PDT Los Angeles (AP) --


Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined thousands of Israel supporters in the withering heat Sunday to rally behind Israel's recent attacks in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Loudly condemning the "relentless rocket attacks of Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel," Villaraigosa drew a cheer when he said: "We're here to defend (Israel's) unassailable right to defend itself."

Schwarzenegger also affirmed Israel's right to self-defense and offered prayers for peace in Lebanon.
"I hope they can recover their country and live without violence or strife," he said.

snip...
In a separate pro-Israel rally in San Francisco Sunday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told a crowd waving blue-and-white Israeli flags that Hezbollah and Hamas rocket attacks against Israel represented "clear acts of war."

"Israel is not fighting just to protect its citizens," Feinstein said. "It is fighting to secure its borders. It is fighting for its very existence."

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also appeared briefly at the rally near San Francisco's Ferry Building, waving to the crowd from behind dark sunglasses.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/07/23/state/n200430D04.DTL&type=politics

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at a rally held in solidarity with Israel outside the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)


Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at a rally held in solidarity with Israel outside the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)


People take part in an Israel solidarity rally outside the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)


People demonstrate outside a Israel Solidarity Rally at the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)


Police move back pro-Lebanese and Palestinian supporters outside a rally held in solidarity with Israel outside the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)


Pro-Lebanese and Palestinian people demonstrate outside a rally held in solidarity with Israel at the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. ( AP Photo:Ann Johansson)


David Becker, 39, waves an olive branch at a rally held in solidarity with Israel outside the Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson)

[azurnoir]

1. The next

earth tremor felt in California will Aaaarrrrnie's grandparents and possibly parents rolling in their graves.

edited for spelling

[bluestateguy]

2. I think I'm going to sit this one out

Which is what I think the US should do too.