LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Muslim groups on Monday criticized Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for publicly supporting Israeli military actions in Gaza.

    "Why is the mayor of Los Angeles dragging himself and his constituents into international conflicts in the Middle East?" Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said at a press conference here.

    Earlier in the day, Villaraigosa reiterated his support for Israel's military attacks on the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

    "I've seen the wreckage caused by a constant barrage of rocket fire -- more than 6,000 rockets launched on southern Israel over the last three years alone," Villaraigosa said.

    Last year, Villaraigosa visited Israel, including the town of Sderot, which is near Gaza and a frequent target of Hamas rocket attacks.

    Al-Marayati said the mayor "should meet with all sides and discuss the critical perspectives and recommendations for all sides before making a decision on such an important international issue" if he chooses to engage in international affairs.

    Villaraigosa "should bring both sides together to talk about how we can prevent the conflict and violence emanating from the Middle East from spilling over onto our streets in America," Al- Marayati said.

    The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an umbrella group that coordinates activities of more than 70 mosques in southern California, also took Villaraigosa to task, saying that it is "disappointed and feels betrayed by the mayor's one-sided perspective on the tragedy in Gaza.

    "While we grant the right for the mayor to his opinion, we also believe he is obligated to recognize all perspectives to any situation. The mayor failed Los Angeles in this regard and we hold him responsible," the group said in a statement.

    In response, Villaraigosa said he would be willing to meet with members of Los Angeles' Palestinian and Muslim communities to address any issue, according to the Los Angeles Times.