Islamic extremists have threatened to target Sir Paul McCartney with suicide squad for agreeing to play his first concert in Israel, a media report said today.
Omar Bakri, a Syrian-born cleric, said McCartney's decision to take part in the Jewish states 60th anniversary celebrations had made him an "enemy" of all Muslims.
Bakri, who made his weekly internet broadcast to fellow extremists from his home in Lebanon, where he has lived in exile since being banned from returning to Britain, said the former Beatle was "making more enemies than friends".
"Our enemys friend is our enemy," Bakri was quoted as saying by the Sunday Express tabloid today.
"Thus Paul McCartney is the enemy of every Muslim. We have what we call sacrifice operatives who will not stand by while he joins in a celebration of their oppression," he warned.
"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," Bakri was quoted as saying by the British tabloid.
Lawyer Anjem Choudary, who last week chaired a meeting in London at which extremists claimed the next 9/11-style atrocity would be in Britain, said Sir Paul had allowed himself to become a propaganda tool for Israel.
According to sources, McCartney was shocked but refused to be intimidated. A spokesman for the former Beatle star said "Paul's Friendship First concert is about his music. Paul's is a message of peace."
"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, McCartney told an Israeli media yesterday.
http://music.ndtv.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080065455
Omar Bakri, a Syrian-born cleric, said McCartney's decision to take part in the Jewish states 60th anniversary celebrations had made him an "enemy" of all Muslims.
Bakri, who made his weekly internet broadcast to fellow extremists from his home in Lebanon, where he has lived in exile since being banned from returning to Britain, said the former Beatle was "making more enemies than friends".
"Our enemys friend is our enemy," Bakri was quoted as saying by the Sunday Express tabloid today.
"Thus Paul McCartney is the enemy of every Muslim. We have what we call sacrifice operatives who will not stand by while he joins in a celebration of their oppression," he warned.
"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," Bakri was quoted as saying by the British tabloid.
Lawyer Anjem Choudary, who last week chaired a meeting in London at which extremists claimed the next 9/11-style atrocity would be in Britain, said Sir Paul had allowed himself to become a propaganda tool for Israel.
According to sources, McCartney was shocked but refused to be intimidated. A spokesman for the former Beatle star said "Paul's Friendship First concert is about his music. Paul's is a message of peace."
"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, McCartney told an Israeli media yesterday.
http://music.ndtv.com/story.asp?id=ENTEN20080065455