Mayor Villaraigosa throws support behind Israel

[oberliner]

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."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/01/mayor-villaraig.html

[cali]

1. why can't politicians both support Israel and condemn specific

Israeli actions? And no, unlike some here, I don't think it's solely AIPAC.

[aquart]

2. So you support missile strikes in Israel?

You have no problem with letting them continue at will?

[LeftishBrit]

3. It's not a question of supporting missile strikes on Israel...

but if many Palestinian innocent bystanders end up being killed and injured - and moreover, if Palestinian support for Hamas is strengthened, and the missile attacks aren't permanently stopped anyway (which seems likely to me) - is it all worth it? I think not. If the war continues for any length of time, it may lead to more deaths of Israelis in the fighting than have been killed by the rockets!

I never, to put it mildly, 'supported' IRA bombs being planted in crowded shops and pubs in England; but I would not have recommended bombing Northern Ireland, or Dublin.

Opposing a certain response to terrorism does not mean supporting terrorism.

[aquart]

6. Uh huh. So you recommend NO response to terrorism?

But thank you for being concerned about how bad this will be for the Jews. That's really for another day. Right now we have it being bad for the Arabs. Which you are against.

I am open to suggestions as to how to stop missiles from being launched into Israel. Go for it. Bring peace.

[LeftishBrit]

9. Ultimately: two states with secure borders

In the meantime - targeting the actual terrorists, and treating them as criminals. Not bombing the whole area.

'But thank you for being concerned about how bad this will be for the Jews'

It's not difficult, I've got relatives there.

This is getting to remind me of conversations with those who think that anyone who doesn't support the Iraq war wants a repetition of 9-11 and the London and Bali bombings. (ETA: OK, the Afghanistan war might be a fairer analogy.)

[cali]

4. Don't fucking put words in my mouth.

I said no such thing. I certainly do not support attacks on Israel, and I do not support the disproportionate attacks on Gaza that are terrorizing and killing the civilian population. The attacks on Israel do NOT pose an existential threat. The attacks on Gaza are killing scores and scores of civilians.

[aquart]

7. "Do not pose an existential threat."

So.........just live with it?

If one of the missiles finally takes out a school, the response you would recommend would be.........?

[Arrowhead2k1]

17. Is that all your type can do, build fucking strawmen?!

[TomClash]

5. In other words

"I want to get re-relected and I need money."

[madrchsod]

10. bingo!

taking money from the muslims would get him investigated by the homeland security. taking money from the jews is a'ok!

saying both sides are to blame is`t politically correct

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. delete

[ProgressiveMuslim]

8. Shame on him.

[AnOhioan]

11. I just lost some admiration for Villaraigosa

The number of US politicians who rightfully place the blame equally on Hamas and the Israeli gov't - a dishearteningly small number.

[ellisonz]

13. You had admiration for Antonio Villa the Adulturer?

[AnOhioan]

14. No but I do have admiration for the man's....

environmental efforts. One of my hot button issues. I can admire a person for some issues yet not condone everything.

[Bushknew]

15. the odds and the deck are stacked against Israel ...

"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 odds and the deck are stacked against Israel, really? These people are not Americans.

They don't represent the ideals of this country. Villaraigosa has always been a careerist, a tool.

These other people are just like Joe Lieberman.

[EFerrari]

16. I wonder how much that cost. n/t