More than 40 years after the Israeli government banned the Beatles, fearing their 'corrupting' influence on the country's young, Paul McCartney is in the Middle East on a mission to bring "peace and love".
Lighting a taper in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, the veteran musician announced: "This candle is for peace. For all the people around the world. And especially in Israel and Palestine".
As news of the VIP visitor spread, fans gathered around the site – believed to be Christ's birthplace - for photographs and in search of an autograph. The pop star handled it with his customary good humour, attempting to say Hello in all their languages – though Russian and Ukranian foxed him.
One particularly enthusiastic group of wellwishers from Spain struck up a chorus of Yellow Submarine in their own language.
Paul - who's travelling with girlfriend Nancy Shevell and is due to play a concert in the country on Thursday - also popped into a nearby Palestinian school. After playing the piano and harmonica for the youngsters, he wished them 'Ramadan Karim', a traditional greeting during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
