Macca determined to perform historic Israel gig despite protests

London, Sept 13 : Sir Paul McCartney has insisted that his historic concert in Israel will go ahead - despite pressure to cancel the gig.

The 65-year-old is due to play a show in Tel Aviv later this month.

The performance will be held 43 years after a Fab Four concert in the country was scrapped by officials amid fears it could corrupt youngsters. owever, now protesters have asked the star to reconsider over Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its Gaza Strip blockade.

When asked how the band members felt about the decision, he said it was "a bit insulting".

"I refused. I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel," BBC quoted the singer, as telling newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

He added: "The Beatles had a pretty positive influence on the world and only regimes that wanted to control their peoples were afraid of us.

"We mostly laughed at the Israeli government decision."

Earlier this year, Israel's ambassador to the UK, Ron Prosor, apologized to The Beatles during a trip to Liverpool.

ANI