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McCartney prepares for Israel gig McCartney makes Bethlehem visit
(about 9 hours later)
Sir Paul McCartney has landed in Israel ahead of his first concert in the country on Thursday. Sir Paul McCartney, preparing for his first concert in Israel, has rejected criticism of bias against Palestinians during a visit to the West Bank.
He told fans at Ben-Gurion airport that he wanted to bring "a message of peace and love" to the Middle East, according to Israeli Public radio. The ex-Beatle toured the Church of the Nativity in the Israeli-occupied town of Bethlehem, where he lit candles for peace, and a nearby music school.
The 66-year old toured the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where he took pictures and lit two candles for peace. Before his unannounced visit, some Palestinians had accused Sir Paul for ignoring their side of the conflict.
Protesters had asked Sir Paul to cancel the one-off gig over Israel's occupation of the West Bank. Some 40,000 Israeli fans will watch him perform in Tel Aviv on Thursday night.
"A lot of Palestinians who adored The Beatles are let down," said Lisa Taraki, a professor at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank and an activist on the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. Sir Paul said he wanted to come and "help the peace process in my own small way, through music".
"Despite appeals, he has not made a single gesture to the Palestinians," she added. Security is expected to be tight for the concert, which comes 43 years after The Beatles were banned from playing in the country because of fears that they could "corrupt the nation's youth".
Ms Taraki's group believes that Israel should be subject to a boycott similar to those imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era. Sir Paul landed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and visited the Bethlehem in the day.
We've been rehearsing some songs we've not done for a while Sir Paul McCartney 'See for myself'
But outside the church, Sir Paul responded to the criticism by saying that his trip to Bethlehem showed he was showing favouritism. "I said that I would like to try and come into Palestine when I had just a few days here," he said. "And just see for myself what the situation was, and I learned a little bit about the situation."
"I'm here to highlight the situation and to say that what we need is peace in this region, a two-state solution," he said. Outside the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, he told tourists and reporters: "All we need is peace in the region and a two-state solution."
Beatles ban He also took part in a music lesson at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Bethlehem.
Enthusiastic fans turned out to greet Sir Paul outside his hotel in Tel Aviv on Wednesday - and the star stopped to sign autographs and flash peace signs at the crowd. Sir Paul McCartney tells reporters in Israel that he's not an impostor
Palestinian activists had asked Sir Paul to cancel the one-off gig because of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
"I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come," McCartney told Israel's Yediot Aharonot newspaper.
Sir Paul flashed peace signs to fans in Tel Aviv
"I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel."
He told another reporter on Wednesday: "I think that to just not go to a place because there are issues, I don't think it makes any sense.
"I think it's better to go there, and try to understand the politics of the region. So I get a better understanding."
Enthusiastic fans turned out to greet Sir Paul outside his hotel in Tel Aviv - and the star stopped to sign autographs and flash peace signs at the crowd.
Inside, he met the press, throwing a variety of rock star poses and joking with reporters: "It is me."Inside, he met the press, throwing a variety of rock star poses and joking with reporters: "It is me."
We've been rehearsing some songs we've not done for a while Sir Paul McCartney
Israel's radio stations have flooded the airwaves with classic Beatles tracks ahead of Thursday's show, which is dubbed Friendship First.Israel's radio stations have flooded the airwaves with classic Beatles tracks ahead of Thursday's show, which is dubbed Friendship First.
The Fab Four had been due to play in Israel at the height of their fame in 1965, but the country's government pulled the show over fears it could corrupt the nation's youth. The Fab Four had been due to play in Israel at the height of their fame in 1965, but the country's government pulled the show .
Speaking before his arrival in Tel Aviv, Sir Paul said the band were "very amused" by the incident - but had felt sorry on behalf of their Jewish manager, Brian Epstein.
Up to 50,000 people are expected for the concert"His family in Liverpool, I'm sure they were mortified, but we didn't really mind," he said.
In January, Israel apologised for the cancellation of the 1965 concert in letters to the two surviving members of the Beatles - Sir Paul and Ringo Starr - and the families of deceased members John Lennon and George Harrison.In January, Israel apologised for the cancellation of the 1965 concert in letters to the two surviving members of the Beatles - Sir Paul and Ringo Starr - and the families of deceased members John Lennon and George Harrison.
Thursday's show is expected to draw up to 50,000 fans, even though the most expensive tickets cost almost £800. Sir Paul has promised a few surprises, saying: "We've been rehearsing some songs we've not done for a while, but that's all I'll tell you."
Sir Paul has promised a few surprises, saying: "We've been rehearsing some songs we've not done for a while but that's all I'll tell you.
"We always try and custom-make the show to the people we are playing to.
"What I normally do is meet with a translator before the show and try and get some local phrases, local dedications, hopefully… I've got to learn them yet though!"
Security around Sir Paul is likely to be tight. On Monday night a Palestinian man rammed his car into a crowd of Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem, injuring 19.
The driver was shot dead. His relatives have denied it was a deliberate attack.
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