Pledging to support Israel in doing the tough work the United Nations has not accomplished, members of the greater Los Angeles Jewish community and their allies defended Israel's right to fight terrorist attacks.

"While we all regret the loss of innocent life that occurs when a nation does defend itself, there is no question that Israel is entitled and has the right to take all appropriate steps to go and take care and keep its people safe," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at an outdoor Los Angeles rally July 23. "And I also pray for peace for the people of Lebanon, because they get affected by those terrorists as well. I hope that they can recover their country and live without war, and violence or strife."

In the blazing afternoon sun outside the Jewish Federation building and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust on Wilshire Boulevard, more than 6,500 people waved American and Israeli flags, including hundreds of youth and young adults from area summer camps. Banners proclaimed "United Against Terror," "Imagine Peace," and "Christians support Israel."

Among those present were many religious leaders, from Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Mormon and Catholic churches, including Santa Barbara Region Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry.

"The widespread support today says that peace and security in Israel and throughout the Middle East is not only a Jewish issue. It's an American issue," said John Fishel, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. "So together we assemble --- Jews, together with our friends, united today in our belief that freedom is worth fighting for and that peace is our lasting hope."

In representing the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Bishop Curry later told The Tidings that "we want to see that Israel has security in its borders and is free from terrorist attacks." He added that peace for Israel "is intertwined with a peaceful solution for the whole region."

At the rally, Pastor Jim Tolle of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, said he prayed for Israel's strength to prevail. "A safe Israel means a safe world. A strong Israel means a free world. An Israel at peace means a peaceful world," he said.

Speakers repeatedly referred to U.N. Resolution 1559, which calls for the dismantling and disarming of Hezbollah's militia, something the militant Muslim Shiite group has not complied with for more than six years.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, rebuked those who try to take the focus off the terrorists and put the blame on Israel for the latest war, using "catch phrases" like "collateral damage," "disproportional response," and "collective punishment."

He called the Lebanese army's unwillingness to confront Hezbollah "disproportionate irresponsibility," and said the U.N.'s absence in enforcing the resolution to disarm Hezbollah is "collective negligence."

Israel will use its strength to do what the international body has not been able to accomplish, added the Israeli consul.

"If the world will not disarm Hezbollah, Israel will disarm Hezbollah," said Consul General of Israel Ehud Danoch to loud applause and cheering.

After Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa affirmed Israel's right to defend itself from recent acts of terrorism, he held out hope of a broader vision of lasting peace. The mayor referred to the prophet Isaiah saying, "We can look forward to a day when the people of the world will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, when nations shall not lift up sword against nation and neither shall they learn war anymore."

Rallying support
Although deaths in Lebanon are numbering 10 for every one person killed in Israel, Cathy Baker, a rally participant from Beverly Hills, blamed terrorist forces for embedding themselves in the civilian population.

"Hezbollah knows exactly what they are doing," said Baker. "They don't care about the lives. They can locate themselves away from civilians, but they choose to go right in the heart of it."

Glenna Gomez said she supported Israel's actions and also mourned the deaths of civilians. "It hurts to see innocent people hurt on either side. It's a tragedy," she said.

The world needs to shoulder Israel's burden, said others.

"It's not just Israel's war," said Muriel Waterman of South Beverly Hills. "Israel is doing a lot of the dirty work."

"The entire world will benefit by the elimination of these terrorists," added her husband Jeff.

Muriel also worried that media coverage is showing the current suffering, especially in Lebanon, but isn't talking adequately about all the atrocities that led up to this most recent conflict.

Her father Julius Rothchild, 94, was born in Germany but left prior to World War II. He said that for decades he has tracked the refusal of most Arab countries to accept a democratic Israel in the Middle East.

"A state has been created, but a state has not been secured," said Rothchild. "Israel has been fighting for its life from the beginning."

This most recent war wasn't deterring Glenna Gomez and her husband from plans to move to Israel in about a year with their three children. "We're more motivated and determined," she said. "More good people need to stand up for what's right. They can't take Israel away from us."