The Beatles were famously banned from performing in the country 43 years ago.

Sir Paul, 66, is giving his first concert in Israel on Thursday, despite reports that his children are "racked with worry" over apparent death threats made against their father.

The singer said on his website that he hoped his Tel Aviv concert would "reawaken" the idea of peace.

He said: "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 that the idea will spread.

"It often does happen you know - you'll go to a place and it can affect the audience.

"It reawakens the idea - so that is definitely my message and when I am talking to people, that will be my message and I am sure it is a message shared by a lot of the audience too."

He added: "People ask this question through the years. 'Do you think music can change things?'

"I think it can. I think it's good for people's souls. I think without music it would be a seriously bad world, we would have more problems.

"Music can help people to just calm them down. I also think it can be very interesting for change."

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