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.
Police estimated some 2,000 to 3,000 people attended the Los Angeles rally and said no major disturbances were reported. A group of about 20 held signs that called for an end to "Israeli war crimes in Gaza," but that did not disrupt the rally's block party atmosphere or the crowd's expression of support for recent Israeli military actions.