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Last update - 22:57 15/06/2008 L.A. mayor calls visit to Qassam-battered town Sderot 'inspiring' By The Associated Press Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met on Sunday with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, both in Israel this week. Villaraigosa, on his first trip to Israel as mayor, visited the Qassam-battered town of Sderot and called it an 'inspiring' experience. Advertisement "In 15 years of public life, I've had a long relationship with Jewish leaders and the state of Israel," he said. "Meeting with the students and seeing the resilience and their attempts at normalcy while withstanding the barrage of rocket attacks - it was inspiring." Villaraigosa, on a seven-day trip to the Israel, handed the prime minister a jersey of L.A. Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant during their talks. Villaraigosa called himself a longtime friend of the prime minister and said the gift reflects that there is no better ambassador for the city of Los Angeles than Kobe Bryant. The mayor also met Sunday with a string of Israeli leaders. He is leading a delegation of 40 people and will meet with terror experts, water conservation experts and environmentalists. Villaraigosa, on his first visit to Israel as mayor, signed an agreement to bring Israeli security experts to come and inspect his city's international airport. New Mexico Governor Richardson, a a former diplomat and presidential candidate, discussed with Olmert the Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Syrian peace efforts, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. The PMO said the two also talked about increasing cooperation between Israel and New Mexico. Richardson was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. President. After he dropped out of the race, he endorsed Senator Barack Obama in April. Richardson's support was seen as a key element in Obama's eventual victory over Senator Hillary Clinton Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   OH NO! The Mexicans are coming! The Mexicans are coming! 20:23  |  :-) 15/06/08   2.   Thanks Mr Mayor for your support of Israelis! 21:08  |  Gina 15/06/08   3.   If Sderot inspires him, then Gaza City will bring rapture 21:13  |  Natallie Durson 15/06/08   4.   Why didnt they take Condi with them to Sderot? 22:49  |  Free Gilad Shalit 15/06/08   5.   1 22:53  |  Tel Aviv 15/06/08   6.   disgusting 23:49  |  Rick 15/06/08   7.   Thanks Mr Mayor for your support of Israelis! 00:21  |  Gina 16/06/08   8.   Sorry Rick, the Comparison`s a poor one 01:13  |  Adam 16/06/08   9.   DURSON AND REALITY 01:25  |  Brant 16/06/08   10.   DURSON AND REALITY 01:25  |  Brant 16/06/08   11.   Why didn`t they have lunch... 01:55  |  Maureen Ann 16/06/08   12.   rick its really quite wonderful, you too Nat. The mayor 03:00  |  steve-NYC 16/06/08   13.   Maureen Ann 11, Nat Durson 3 12:09  |  Simcha 16/06/08   14.   Kobe Bryant being an ambassador 23:03  |  Z 16/06/08   15.   Hey Adam 02:01  |  Janice 17/06/08   16.   Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa 06:59  |  Yosemite 17/06/08

Read & React Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant Gaza Fulbright students exit visas Responses: 208 Akiva Eldar: Our fixation on Iran leads world to see Israel as the cause of tension Responses: 221 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon Responses: 133 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing for return of troops Responses: 85 Battle of the attitude: Israeli girls vs. American Jews Responses: 108 Rosner's Domain Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran New Guests: What young Jewish American want World: U.S policy "will change for the better" (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? More Headlines 05:49 Israeli sources: Prisoner swap with Hezbollah likely next week 01:09 UN special envoy criticizes Israel for talks with Syria 23:59 Heftziba CEO Yona, who left hundreds homeless, gets 7 years in jail under plea deal 02:06 U.S. official: W. Bank still same after Israel lifted roadblocks 06:11 ANALYSIS / Who will stop the surging price of oil? 22:59 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns the spotlight on Palestinians 05:56 Receding Lake Kinneret shoreline reveals mysterious stone patterns 23:42 Bush, Musharraf, Ahmadinejad top least-trusted leaders list 02:36 Police ignored murdered lawyer's complaint that his life was in peril 22:57 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams 06:47 B'Tselem cameras pay off for victims of settler attacks 00:37 Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power 21:21 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges 06:53 Government allocates NIS 10 million to Tourism Min. to woo Germans 21:13 Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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