Remember the Paul McCartney song by that title from the Beatles’ album Yesterday…and Today ? It came to mind when I saw this story in the Washington Post:

Legendary Beatles star Paul McCartney said he was pressed to cancel his upcoming performance in Israel, but reassured Israeli fans in comments published on Thursday he would go ahead with the planned concert.

“I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come here. I refused. I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel,” McCartney said in an interview with Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth.

Pro-Palestinian groups have frequently called on international academics and prominent cultural figures to boycott Israel over its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Well, it turns out that they can’t work it out. Sadly, there’s more to this story that just “pressure,” as the Sunday Express (UK) reports:

Sir Paul McCartney has been threatened that he will be the target of suicide bombers unless he abandons plans to play his first concert in Israel.

Self-styled preacher of hate Omar Bakri claimed the former Beatle’s decision to take part in the Jewish state’s 60th anniversary celebrations had made him an enemy of all Muslims.

Bakri, who made his weekly internet broadcast to fellow extremists from his home in Lebanon, where he has lived in exile since being banned from returning to Britain, said Sir Paul was “making more enemies than friends”.

Explaining his comments, Bakri told the Sunday Express: “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 has made clear that he won’t be bullied or threatened by psychotics. Three cheers for him. Would that the people who threaten him would listen to a bit of what he wrote, instead of laying their bloodlust before the world to see.

Life is very short, and there’s no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.

(Via Power Line and Five Feet of Fury.)

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