Israelis in move to bury the hatchet with surviving Beatles

Jan 29 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

SIR PAUL McCartney and Ringo Starr have been officially invited to perform at Israel’s 60th birthday gala in May – 43 years after The Beatles were banned by the Jewish state.

Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador to London, made a two-day trip to Liverpool to observe Sunday’s Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Philharmonic Hall and visit areas of Jewish importance in the city.

Yesterday, he paid a visit to The Beatles Story museum at the Albert Dock, where he was shown around by John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird, and presented the formal letter inviting the surviving members of the Fab Four to his home country to play.

The Beatles were booked to appear in Israel in 1965 but government officials refused to grant the necessary permits, claiming the band and their amplified music could corrupt the morals of Israeli youth.

Mr Prosor gave an official invite to Ms Baird, and one is to be sent to relatives of guitarist George Harrison, to represent the late band members at the event held to mark the anniversary of Israel’s founding in May, 1948.

The letter says: “We should like to take this opportunity to correct the historic omission which, to our great regret, occurred in 1965, when you were invited to Israel.

“We should like to see you sing in Israel.”

Mr Prosor gave a speech at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and met with Lord Mayor Cllr Paul Clark, visited King David High School in Childwall, and held a meeting of inter-faith leaders at the Princes Road Synagogue in Toxteth.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy said: “The ambassador very much enjoyed his visit and it is probable that he will be return in the future.”