JERUSALEM (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Despite many artists’ recent Israeli boycott, Missy Elliott arrived today for a performance on Thursday in Tel Aviv and a visit to the holy Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Over the past six weeks, a raft of international artists have cancelled visits since Israel launched a commando raid on a Gaza-bound foreign aid flotilla which left nine Turkish activists dead and provoked a diplomatic backlash according to the American Free Press.
A week later, the navy forced another foreign aid ship heading for Gaza into an Israeli port and deported its passengers.
On Wednesday, Israeli warships were shadowing a Libyan aid ship which had vowed to reach Gaza in defiance of navy orders to change course and head to a nearby Egyptian port according to the American Free Press.
Elton John is one of the only other artists to visit the Jewish state since the controversy developed. Britain’s favorite ‘Rocket Man’ was praised by fans for standing apart from other boycotting artists.
Among those who have cancelled since the flotilla clash are US alternative rock group The Pixies, London-based indie punk band Klaxons, and Gorillaz.
Britain's Elvis Costello, rock guitarist Carlos Santana and rap forefather Gil Scott-Heron, backed out of scheduled visits after they came under pressure from opponents of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians according to the American Free Press.
Costello's wife, Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall, is however, still scheduled to appear in Israel on August 4th. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
