Paul McCartney says he's definitely going to play his first ever show in Israel later this month, despite pressure from campaigners to cancel the event. The former Beatle told Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth that he was asked to think about cancelling the Tel Aviv gig because of Israel's dealings with Palestine, but did not consider it, saying "I refused. I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel".
Speaking about the fact that the Israeli government banned a Beatles concert in 1965 because they thought it would corrupt the nation's youth, he said it was "a bit insulting", adding: "The Beatles had a pretty positive influence on the world and only regimes that wanted to control their peoples were afraid of us. We mostly laughed at the Israeli government decision".
A statement on McCartney's website last month read: "I've heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another. We are planning to have a great time and a great evening. We can't wait to get out there and rock".