2008 Woodie Awards
Week in Review: Middle East
Mary Kate Nevin '09 and Kieran Whelan '09
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: World
Israel: 'Beatlemania' Breaks Free
in Tel Aviv
Last Thursday, Sept. 25, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney played his first show in Israel in front of approximately 40,000 fans.
This show came 43 years after The Beatles were banned from performing in Israel. In 1965, The Beatles were scheduled to perform but were prevented from taking the stage because authorities were afraid that they could "corrupt the nation's youth," according to the BBC.
McCartney has recently shrugged off Palestinian pleas to boycott Israel in protest over its military and settlement activity. Although Palestinian activists asked McCartney to cancel the show, he said that he "thought it was a good time to come and take a look at the situation."
"You couldn't keep me off the stage," he said.
On stage, McCartney addressed the fans mostly in English but with a bit of Hebrew, The Associated Press reported. He also wished fans a happy new year in light of the Jewish holiday.
The star was in a much more reflective mood however, when he compared the barrier Israel was building in and around the West Bank to the Berlin Wall. "It's sad to think people can be physically divided like that. It's not good for anyone." Although Israel has argued that the barrier is for its security, the Palestinians say that it is a device to take land.
in Tel Aviv
Last Thursday, Sept. 25, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney played his first show in Israel in front of approximately 40,000 fans.
This show came 43 years after The Beatles were banned from performing in Israel. In 1965, The Beatles were scheduled to perform but were prevented from taking the stage because authorities were afraid that they could "corrupt the nation's youth," according to the BBC.
McCartney has recently shrugged off Palestinian pleas to boycott Israel in protest over its military and settlement activity. Although Palestinian activists asked McCartney to cancel the show, he said that he "thought it was a good time to come and take a look at the situation."
"You couldn't keep me off the stage," he said.
On stage, McCartney addressed the fans mostly in English but with a bit of Hebrew, The Associated Press reported. He also wished fans a happy new year in light of the Jewish holiday.
The star was in a much more reflective mood however, when he compared the barrier Israel was building in and around the West Bank to the Berlin Wall. "It's sad to think people can be physically divided like that. It's not good for anyone." Although Israel has argued that the barrier is for its security, the Palestinians say that it is a device to take land.
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