Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv at a concert celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary. His decision to participate has now made him a target of a terror attack.
A threat by preacher Omar Bakri was made in a weekly Internet broadcast from Lebanon where he has been living in exile since being banned from Britain. Bakri was quoted saying:
“Instead of supporting the people of Palestine in their suffering, McCartney is celebrating the atrocities of the occupiers. The one who is under occupation is supposed to be getting the help,” Bakri said. “Our enemy’s friend is our enemy.”
“Thus Paul McCartney is the enemy of every Muslim. We have what we call ’sacrifice’ operatives who will not stand by while he joins in a celebration of their oppression. If he values his life Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him.”
McCartney, despite being stunned and shocked by this threat has said he will not cancel his gig even though he was approached by several political groups asking him to cancel his trip. His spokesman has said that McCartney intended to come with a “message of peace”.