Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa paid a visit to Sderot on Friday to launch the "Gateway to Education" project, aimed at providing the Qassam-battered town's children with a higher level of education.
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Accompanied by Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal, Villaraigosa opened his visit at a local religious school, where he spoke of the courage being displayed by the residents of the Gaza-vicinity communities amid the incessant attacks emanating from the Strip, adding that he believed the region had a bright future.
During the assembly the students performed songs they had written and spoke of life under the Qassam threat.
LA mayor presents Moyal with Lakers jersey (Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman)
Villaraigosa, along with heads of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and a number of Sderot Municipality officials, then headed to a nearby observation point overlooking Gaza. He later visited a local police station to inspect Qassam rockets that were fired toward Israel.
Last February dozens of Hollywood stars attended the "Live for Sderot" concert, which was held in Los Angeles and dedicated to the city's children.
Mayor Villaraigosa also participated in the glamorous event, organized by the Israeli consulate as an opening ceremony for Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, and US presidential hopefuls Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain all sent their warm wishes to Sderot via videotaped messages.
The show was hosted by Israeli actress Noa Tishby, and included performances by Ninet Tayeb, violinist Miri Ben-Ari, Israeli-born American singer Elliot Yamin, Mike Burstein, Aki Avni and Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight.
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