Elton John Slams Boycotting Artists at Israel Concert

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 18th 2010 08:41AM

Another week, another provocative concert by Elton John. Fresh off a gig as Rush Limbaugh's wedding singer, the British icon performed Thursday in Tel Aviv, despite pressure from pro-Palestinian activists and fellow artists to boycott Israel following the flotilla debacle off the coast of Gaza.

"Shalom, we are so happy to be back here! Ain't nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby," John said with a fist in the air.

The piano man then took a swipe at those artists, including Elvis Costello, Santana, the Pixies and Devendra Banhart, who have bailed on concerts in recent weeks.

"Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. That's what we do," he said. "We don't cherry-pick our conscience."

Costello specifically called his decision to cancel a June 30 show a "matter of instinct and conscience."

As for the concert, the Jerusalem Post said John "turned into a human jukebox for two-and-a-half hours," mixing old and new favorites spanning his four decade career. Songs played included 'Levon,' Rocket Man' and more obscure hits like 'Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters' and 'Captain Fantastic.'

An estimated 50,000 fans crammed into Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv.

John recently caused a stir when he played a secret show at Limbaugh's June 5 wedding. The gay icon caught some flack for the performance, which netted him a reported $1 million paycheck from the radio commentator, who strongly opposes gay marriage and has a history of negative comments about homosexuality.

"It betrays either ignorance or self-interest or both, and jeopardizes his admirable record on gay rights," Aaron Hicklin, Editor-in-Chief of Out, told PopEater at the time.

John's longtime partner, David Furnish, said the singer was "a little surprised" to get the invitation, but accepted the job after deciding "Life is about building bridges, not walls."

The singer said Limbaugh and his bride, Kathryn Rogers, "were incredibly gracious and very welcoming and very sweet and very appreciative."

Tags: elton john, Israel

Comments

(57)

Friday 18 June

By Suz

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Elton-You are a Mensch!

By Dave

I always find it interesting that the Palestinians can do whatever they want toward Israel and hardly a voice is raised but let Israel defend themselves and try by whatever means to keep their people safe then everyone is down on them. Double standard here folks. You go Sir Elton--right on.

By Tea Party Neoconpublican

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I can understand why he sang Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters,with the lines "Sons of Bankers, Sons of Lawyers" and "The rich man he can ride and the hobo he can drown," to a Jewish crowd. Elton will say and do anything to line his pockets or to get attention. I'm with the boycotting musicians. They at least showed a social conscience.

By mhafys

I just want to say thank you to Elton John for understanding that Israel is defending itself with the blockade. They are trying to keep the weapons sent by other countries in the guise of humanitarian aid out of the hands of the Palestinians. These weapons are used against the Israeli population on a daily basis.

By hmm?!

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That's strange. I heard that via tunnels...there has been no real change in the smount of weapons smuggled in. The only thing they are stopping are needed goods to the law abiders there. Jobs to the MAJORITY who would chose to live a right and moral way. You guys forget that these people are victims of their government. You expect starving people to fight anything?

By Sweets

Good for you Elton!! I have more respect for you than ever.

Now if you really want to see the fur fly in Hollywood...Do something for the poor people in the Gulf area! Nobody else has bothered. Says a lot for the stars from and living in that area.

Pam in Atlanta

Thursday 15 July

By lejabe

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Dear Elton:
I always respected your talent now I respect your principles. Shalom Elton....Israel says Never Again to weapons being smuggled in. They must protect themselves. As for Elvis Costello-not much talent and so unappealing...never heard of the Pixies...and let's just say Santana has his own personal agenda.
Love you...keep on rockin'!

By DebraLee51

I always loved Elton John, now I adore him!

Good for you Sir Elton, I'm sure the people of Israel were most greateful for your loyalty! What a guy!

By Eduardo

Elton John is a decadent artist as decadent and as every decadent artist he needs the attention of the media, we can not count on him for this kind of simbolic protest even with homophobic Eminem he was on the same stage some years later, I agree with murray I hardly think Sir Elton needed the money well It is a noble cause to take care of his own pocket.

Saturday 19 June

By Moloch's Arms

Israel's Moloch built a wall not a bridge to Palestine. It makes targeting and murdering Palestinian children easier when you can divide people.

By val

I love Elton John ... he's the greatest and best of all

By Josephine

I love you, Elton!

Monday 21 June

By stan squires

I am from vancouver,canada and i wanted to say that Elton John should be condemned for performing in israel.He played in South Africa during the apartheid gov. so its no surprise that he went to israel.He is not like Marlene Dietrich who left Germany during the second world war.He is similar to some french people who supported the nazi occupation of their country.He will be remembered long after he is gone for supporting South African and Israeli apartheid govs.

By Cliff

Elton John is apparently an educated adult. He cannot claim to be ignorant of the every-day reality of the 62-year-old Zionist occupation, and the legitimising effect his appearance in the imposed city of Tel Aviv will have. In the long term, this will leave an indelible stain on his reputation.

Tuesday 27 July

By Jeffey60

Thank you Elton John, it doesn't matter if your gay your music sings for itself.

Wednesday 28 July

By jerry varon

Elton you are the biggest andyour actions shows it. I am proud of you as an American for truth.

Saturday 21 August

By Ignacio

If life is about building bridges and not walls, what's the israeli wall separating palestinians about? This guy Elton John is just interested in money and doesn't care about people being constantly killed and sieged. His music is not about bringing peace, he is a hypocrit. A shame.

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