Jan 5, 2009 8:58 am US/Eastern
Mayor Bloomberg Returns From Israel
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Mayor Bloomberg attends briefing on Hamas rockets moments before an incoming rocket warning was sounded.
CBS
Mayor Bloomberg returned from Israel Monday, and is expected to continue speaking out on his support for the nation's efforts to curb terrorist attacks from Gaza. His experience included taking cover from Hamas rockets.
Bloomberg attended a briefing by an Israeli Army major in the town of Sderot, which has been the target of thousands of Hamas rockets. "The propellant and the war head are military grade," the soldier said.
On video provided by the mayor's office, Bloomberg is heard asking about the how Army defends Israel from incoming rocket fire. "What I still don't under stand is how do you calculate how it's going to land," he asked.
However, a rocket warning then went off, cutting short an answer. The mayor and his party were hustled into a bomb shelter, as they experienced first hand what is a way of life to many Israelis.
"Four hours ago a rocket hit this house," the mayor said.
On the ninth day of Israeli strikes against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas, Bloomberg himself was in the danger zone, visiting Ashkelon and Sderot, both of which are top targets.
"Today, 14 rockets hit this little city," Bloomberg said.
The mayor, who will campaign for a third term this year, also visited an underground hospital where he distributed toys to both Israeli and Palestinian patients. And he had harsh words for the Hamas terrorists behind the weeks of rocket attacks.
"If Hamas spent more time building up the Gaza Strip, building up the economy, building up the education system, building the future and less time worring about Israel, everybody would be better off," he said.
The mayor was accompanied by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Queens Congressman Gary Akerman. He said if he faced a similar threat in New York, he would do what the Israelis are doing.
"If we were ever threatened in New York, we would do everything in our power to protect our citizens."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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