LOS ANGELES -- Wilshire Boulevard between Crescent Heights and San Vicente boulevards was closed to traffic Tuesday evening because of competing demonstrations in front of the Israeli Consulate, said Los Angeles police Officer Karen Smith.
Demonstrating against Israel's ground and air offensive against Hamas targets in Gaza were representatives of the ANSWER Coalition, Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition and others.
The pro-Israeli rally involved members of Stand With Us and other groups.
"We call upon the friends of Israel to make the effort to stand up for Israel...," Stand With Us said in a statement. "Israel wants peace and would have done anything to avoid this conflict. (But) Hamas has been acting in accordance to its founding document, which calls for the elimination of Israel. The leaders of Hamas have been inflicting terrorism on Israel and hiding among the Palestinian people in Gaza, using Palestinian children as human shields," the statement said.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday reiterated his support of Israel's military action in Gaza, drawing criticism from Muslim groups.
"I've seen the wreckage caused by a constant barrage of rocket fire -- more than 6,000 rockets launched on Southern Israel over the last three years alone," Villaraigosa said as he was joined by Jewish community leaders at the Jewish Federation headquarters near Beverly Hills.
Last year, Villaraigosa visited Israel, including the town of Sderot, which is near Gaza and a frequent target of rocket attacks.
Speaking at a separate news conference, Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said Monday, "Why is the mayor of Los Angeles dragging himself and his constituents into international conflicts in the Middle East?"
"If he chooses to engage in international issues, he should meet with all sides and discuss the critical perspectives and recommendations for all sides before making a decision on such an important international issue," Al-Marayati said.
Villaraigosa also drew criticism from the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an umbrella group that coordinates activities of more than 70 Southland mosques.
The council said in a statement that it "is disappointed and feels betrayed by the mayor's one-sided perspective on the tragedy of colossal proportions in Gaza.
"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."
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