The former Beatle last performed in Israel in 2008, drawing a crowd of over 50,000 people.

By United with Israel Staff

Legendary singer Paul McCartney is currently in talks with Israeli producers for a future performance in the Holy Land, according to a report by Maariv.

Sources close to the negotiations told the Israeli newspaper that the chances of the deal closing are “really high.”

The former Beatle’s last performance in Israel came in 2008, when he performed in front of a crowd of over 50,000 people. In a 2013 interview with Adam Shay of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, McCartney said that he came to Israel despite pressure to boycott the Jewish state and threats on his life.

“I got death threats, but I am coming anyways. I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come to Israel but I refused. I do what I think. Music is a great international voice for getting people together. I will do my best to speak to Palestinians and Israelis and get an idea of what the solution might be and support that. But my little bit is to bring people together through music,” he said.

McCartney won Israel’s Wolf Prize award in 2018 but was unable to attend the award ceremony.

“It’s very flattering and I’m grateful to be chosen for the Wolf Prize for Music this year,” McCartney told Haaretz newspaper. “It’s certainly a great honor for me to be included among the greatest artists, creators, scientists and writers of today’s history.”

The Wolf Prize consists of five awards in the areas of music, agriculture, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

“Sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters of all time,” the Wolf Foundation said in a statement. “His versatility underlies an extraordinary wingspan, from the most physical rock to melodies of haunting and heartbreaking intimacy. His lyrics have an equally broad range, from the naive and the charming to the poignant and even desperate. He has touched the hearts of the entire world, both as a Beatle and in his subsequent bands.”