Sir Paul McCartney defied death threats from Islamic extremists to perform in Israel last night (25.09.08).
Sir Paul McCartney defied death threats to perform in Israel last night (25.09.08).
The former Beatle had been warned by Islamic extremists not to appear at the 'Friendship First' show "if he values his life" but defied protestors to perform to 50,000 screaming fans, telling them: "I am bringing a message of peace."
He greeted the crowd in Hebrew, sending good wishes for the Jewish new year, as well as wishing Muslims a happy Ramadan, before launching into The Beatles' hit 'Hello, Goodbye'.
He later invited the crowd to join in with singing John Lennon's 'Give Peace A Chance', closing the song by telling the crowd: "Here tonight you sang it, you wanted it."
More than 5,000 police and security guards were stationed at the concert - which had been given the status of a state visit - but a police spokesperson later said there had been no concrete threats made against the singer.
During the two-hour performance - for which 66-year-old Paul was reportedly paid £1 million - the singer played a set spanning his 50-year career, including Beatles classics 'Yesterday', 'Hey Jude' and 'Eleanor Rigby' and Wings hits, including the James Bond theme 'Live And Let Die'.
The concert came more than 40 years after the country banned The Beatles fearing they would corrupt its young people.
The band was scheduled to appear in 1965, but after claiming their music might have a negative influence on the morality of the nation, the government refused to grant them permits. | 
