About 50,000 fans attended the concert. It was his third career appearance in Israel.John's appearance comes on the heels of cancellations by well-known artists such as British rocker Elvis Costello, Carlos Santana and Gil Scott-Heron, reportedly after pressure by pro- Palestinian groups.

Following the May 31 interception by Israel of a Gaza-bound flotilla that left 9 passengers martyrs, other artists cancelled including The Pixies, Klaxons, Gorillaz, and, this week, Dvendra Barnhart."I have always believed that music inhabits a world set apart from politics, religious differences or prejudice of any kind," John said on his website, defending his decision to appear in Israel. via jta.org