Para muchos israelíes, el concierto esta noche de Paul McCartney en el Parque Yarkon de Tel Aviv será el mejor regalo de Año Nuevo. Más concretamente, para alrededor de unos 40.000 espectadores, los únicos que en estas fechas cercanas a la Nochevieja del calendario judío -que se celebra el próximo martes- han podido hacer frente al desembolso extra de entre 500 y 1.200 shekels. Una fortuna de entre 100 y 240 euros, que en este país equivale a comprar un sueño: ver en directo a un mito viviente de la música, una estrella internacional de esas que no se atreven a poner el pie en Israel por miedo a un atentado.No es poca cosa. El penúltimo gran recital que programaron en 2006 los Depeche Mode se suspendió por la guerra con el Líbano. El último, de Brian Adams en 2007, se canceló la tarde anterior «por razones de seguridad». La frustración de la juventud, melómanos y demás se ha materializado incluso en una página web («Bo ya Manyak»), en la que los fans vienen registrando hace años cuánto estarían dispuestos a pagar por ver a sus ídolos, con la esperanza de sumar una cantidad jugosa que anime a algún grupo a pasarse por aquí. De momento, ni Red Hot Chili Peppers, ni Radiohead, Bob Dylan o Coldplay han hecho caso.
Consciente o no de esta situación, Sir Paul llegaba el martes por la noche a Israel acompañado de treinta asistentes, otro equipo de setenta personas, seguridad propia y chef personal, que supervisará su menú en el Hotel Dan Tel Aviv, donde McCartney ocupará la Suite Royal de 200 metros. El músico visitaba ayer la Basílica de la Natividad en Belén, situada en Cisjordania, quizás dispuesto a aplacar las iras del grupo palestino y del islamista, que le han amenazado por actuar en el Estado judío, precisamente como parte de las celebraciones del 60 aniversario del país.
«Vengo a dar un mensaje de paz y amor» a Oriente Próximo, decía ayer la estrella de 66 años queriendo despojar su presencia de todo favoritismo. «Estoy aquí para llamar la atención sobre la situación y decir que necesitamos paz en esta región, una solución de dos Estados».
El parque del concierto no estará lleno, aún quedan entradas. Demasiado caras, incluso para quienes en 1965 se quedaron sin ver a los Beatles porque Israel prohibió presentarse en el país a semejante banda de crápulas pervertidores, y hoy tampoco podrán ver a Paul por sus prohibitivos precios.
LAURA L. CARO
CORRESPONSAL
CORRESPONSAL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sir Paul McCartney gets even more protection than George W Bush
The vast security for Sir Paul McCartney’s Tel Aviv concert tonight even dwarfs the protection given to President Bush when he visited Israel.
A 5,000-strong security team will ensure Macca, 66, is watched around the clock in the wake of death threats from Islamic fanatics.
One security source said: “No one is taking anything for granted.
“The level of security is unlike anything we’ve seen. Everything is being done to ensure that this passes peacefully and without incident.”
A massive security army guarding Macca includes 20 agents from Israel’s elite Mossad intelligence organisation as well as officers from Britain’s MI6.
But the bulk will be made up of Israeli police officers who will throw a cordon around the Tel Aviv park where 70,000 fans will watch the ex-Beatle.
The cost of the operation is said to be £1.5million. The bill will be split between the show’s promoters and the Israeli government.
Macca’s team have hired three floors of Tel Aviv’s five star Dan Hotel. Twenty-one suites have been taken up at a cost of £70,000 to ensure no one gets near Macca, who is staying in the Royal Suite with partner Nancy Shevell.
The source said: “Only security and a handful of Macca’s entourage will be near him. Everything is tailored to ensure he is 100 per cent safe.”
Macca landed in Israel early yesterday. He was almost swamped by security as he passed through the VIP lounge to a convoy of cars waiting to take him to the hotel.
A 5,000-strong security team will ensure Macca, 66, is watched around the clock in the wake of death threats from Islamic fanatics.
One security source said: “No one is taking anything for granted.
“The level of security is unlike anything we’ve seen. Everything is being done to ensure that this passes peacefully and without incident.”
A massive security army guarding Macca includes 20 agents from Israel’s elite Mossad intelligence organisation as well as officers from Britain’s MI6.
But the bulk will be made up of Israeli police officers who will throw a cordon around the Tel Aviv park where 70,000 fans will watch the ex-Beatle.
The cost of the operation is said to be £1.5million. The bill will be split between the show’s promoters and the Israeli government.
Macca’s team have hired three floors of Tel Aviv’s five star Dan Hotel. Twenty-one suites have been taken up at a cost of £70,000 to ensure no one gets near Macca, who is staying in the Royal Suite with partner Nancy Shevell.
The source said: “Only security and a handful of Macca’s entourage will be near him. Everything is tailored to ensure he is 100 per cent safe.”
Macca landed in Israel early yesterday. He was almost swamped by security as he passed through the VIP lounge to a convoy of cars waiting to take him to the hotel.
Hours later Paul and Nancy visited a music school where he chatted with children and teachers and played a few songs on a guitar.
From there, Paul and Nancy visited the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem – the site of Christ’s birth.
But the next stop on the itinerary, a trip to the city of Ramallah, was cancelled because it was considered too much of a security risk. Macca’s decision to play the concert has enraged Islamic fundamentalists who claim he should be backing the Palestinians, not showing support for Israel.
Fundamentalist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed said: “If he values his life, Mr McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him.”
But Macca, who is calling the gig the Friendship First Concert, refused to be intimidated.
He said: “I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come here. I refused. I do what I think and I have many friends who support Israel.”
And he said on his website that he hoped the concert would “reawaken” the idea of peace.Sir Paul added: “The world knows about the conflicts that have been in that region and I like to think that if I go to a place it becomes evident that my message is a peaceful one and I hope the idea will spread.”
The source added: “Although there is a threat Sir Paul is determined to give the people of Israel a concert to remember.
Macca was invited to Israel 43 years after a Beatles tour was banned over fears they would corrupt the country’s youth.
From there, Paul and Nancy visited the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem – the site of Christ’s birth.
But the next stop on the itinerary, a trip to the city of Ramallah, was cancelled because it was considered too much of a security risk. Macca’s decision to play the concert has enraged Islamic fundamentalists who claim he should be backing the Palestinians, not showing support for Israel.
Fundamentalist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed said: “If he values his life, Mr McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him.”
But Macca, who is calling the gig the Friendship First Concert, refused to be intimidated.
He said: “I was approached by different groups and political bodies who asked me not to come here. I refused. I do what I think and I have many friends who support Israel.”
And he said on his website that he hoped the concert would “reawaken” the idea of peace.Sir Paul added: “The world knows about the conflicts that have been in that region and I like to think that if I go to a place it becomes evident that my message is a peaceful one and I hope the idea will spread.”
The source added: “Although there is a threat Sir Paul is determined to give the people of Israel a concert to remember.
Macca was invited to Israel 43 years after a Beatles tour was banned over fears they would corrupt the country’s youth.
Fuente: http://www.mirror.co.uk/
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario