Islamist PR group the Muslim Public Affairs Council is seething and whining over California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance at the pro-Israel rally yesterday in Los Angeles: Schwarzenegger addresses pro-Israel rally, draws Muslim ire.

LOS ANGELES - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday defended Israel’s right to self-defense at a pro-Israel rally, sparking criticism by a Muslim organization that he was taking sides in the Middle East conflict.

“We are all here to do one thing, and that is to support the state of Israel. Every nation has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks,” Schwarzenegger told a crowd of 10,000 people gathered for the rally organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. ...

The Republican governor said he was praying that the Lebanese would regain peace. “They have been affected by these terrorists as well,” he said, in an apparent reference to the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. ...

Drawing cheers from the crowd, the Austrian-American former Hollywood muscle-man recalled his numerous trips to Israel. The Republican governor pointed out that Israel was the first country he visited after taking office in 2003.

His participation at the pro-Israel rally drew protests from the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

“We take issue with the governor and the mayor taking sides on this issue, the pro-Israeli side, without consulting residents of California and Los Angeles,” said Salam al-Marayati of the council.

“The mayor and the governor should not drag us into this foreign conflict,” he said.