Jan 4, 2009 6:53 pm US/Pacific
Violence In Gaza Sparks More L.A. Demonstrations
LOS ANGELES
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Pro-Israel supporters rally across the street from the Israeli consulate, which is blocked by anti-Israel protesters. (File Photo)
CBS
More Gaza protests are planned Sunday throughout the Southland and around the country.
L.A. Jews for Peace plan to rally outside of the Federal Building at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue starting at 2 p.m.
Similar demonstrations will take place in Anaheim and San Diego, but are sponsored by The ANSWER Coalition. Both are set up for 1 p.m. Demonstrators will gather in Anaheim at 512 S. Brookhurst St. and in San Diego at the fountain in Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado.
Since the end of a cease fire in Gaza last month, both sides have accused the other of relentless missile attacks. The latest demonstrations are part of a series of Southland protests favoring both sides of the ongoing dispute.
Other pro-Israel demonstrations are planned Sunday in Arizona and around the country.
Those organizing the demonstrations in Los Angeles are asking the United States government to intervene to stop the hostilities.
"The situation in Gaza has been intolerable," an L.A. Jews for Peace statement said, "but with full support of the U.S. government (it) has gotten much worse. Israel has attacked the Gaza Strip continually since Saturday, Dec. 27 with a massive air and naval attack that killed almost 400 people, including at least 60 women and children and 180 civilian police."
Conversely, a statement from the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles states, "the operation in the Gaza Strip is designed, first and foremost, to bring about an improvement in the security reality for the residents of the south of the country."
They maintain that Israel is merely protecting its country and citizens while trying to preserve peace in the region.
"(Hamas) decided to increase attacks on the residents of Israel by firing rockets and mortars indiscriminately. In such a situation, we had no alternative but to respond. We do not rejoice in battle, but neither will we be deterred from it."
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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