Elvis Costello Opts Out of Scheduled Israeli Concert

Famed singer and musician Elvis Costello who's released over forty albums during the span of his career has pulled out of not only one but two concerts this summer that were to take place in Israel because of the tension amounting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  He apologized to fans, concert organizers, and journalists who already took the time to interview him, for his decision in not partaking in the concert.  He also claimed that him participating in the event could be considered a "political act."  On his website, Costello noted that he is "keenly aware of the sensitivity of [the] themes in the wake of so many despicable acts of violence perpetrated in the name of liberation."  Aside from the reasons he gave on his future absence in the concerts, he also mentioned that he feels sorry that he might never be invited to Israel to perform.  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10125493.stm

Submitted by: Hanna Khan