Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Threats Cancel Turkey Concert With Israeli Singer

It was to feature Muslim, Jewish, and Christian artists

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 10, 2011 10:45 AM CDT

(AP) – Organizers say a peace concert in Istanbul featuring an Israeli singer was canceled for security concerns after pro-Islamic protesters threatened to disrupt the show. A group promoting religious tolerance said today they decided to cancel the concert at the last minute to avoid putting any of the artists or guests in "danger." Muslim, Jewish, and Christian artists would have taken part.

Dozens of protesters turned up at the open-air concert's venue and shouted anti-Israel slogans, reported the Anatolla news agency. Most were members of the IHH Islamic aid group, which sponsored last year's deadly Gaza-bound aid flotilla. In May, an Israeli theater performance in Antalya, southern Turkey, was also canceled over security concerns.

Turkish demonstrators chant Islamic slogans during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

71%

14%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

Man Goes to Hospital For Kidney Stone...Leaves a Woman (Huff Post)

Is Chase Crawford Dating a Cougar? (Bleacher Report)

My Boss Walked in on Me Touching Myself, Now He Won't Stop Flirting (Slate)

7 Gross Celebrity Items Sold at Auction (The Week)

The Lowest-Rated Show on TV Is Actually Awesome (Slate)

Partner Links

Sponsor Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 1 of 1 comment

Sphinx

Jun 10, 2011 11:43 AM CDT

"Most were members of the IHH Islamic aid group, which sponsored last year's deadly Gaza-bound aid flotilla." That statement is dangerously out of context. The trip was only deadly for the people on board the flotilla. That said, these protests are ridiculous, but at the same time, pretending there's good will between Turkey and Israel is equally ridiculous. Promoting religious tolerance is great, but political tolerance is something else entirely. Next time, maybe they could try featuring a Jewish artist who's not from Israel.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Rape Conviction Cleared, Thanks to Facebook

Associated Press (Source Grid »)

World • Great Finds

Israel • Turkey • concert • Istanbul

More Newser Stories

Turks Suspect Bird Is Israeli Spy

Villagers were certain bee-eater was hiding a microchip

(NEWSER) - A tiny bird triggered a peck of trouble in a Turkish village when residents became convinced the creature was an Israeli spy. The dead European bee-eater was discovered wearing a metal band stamped with the word "Israel." Investigating villagers determined that the cheeper's nostrils were larger than average, possibly large enough to carry a microchip to aid in espionage. A careful examination by agricultural ministry experts concluded the bird was safe, and that the band was a common tracking measure for migratory birds—though it was tough to convince local police, officials told the BBC . More»

Bomb-Carrying Woman Killed in Istanbul Blast

Police probe possible suicide bombing

(NEWSER) - A woman in Istanbul was killed yesterday when the bomb she was carrying exploded, Turkish state news reports. Police investigating reports of a blast discovered her body; now, they're trying to figure out if she was a suicide bomber or meant to plant the bomb somewhere, only to have it explode prematurely. Istanbul has seen suicide attacks by Kurdish rebels in the past, as part of a continuing conflict over autonomy that has left thousands dead since 1984, AP notes. More»

Rescuers Pull 3 More From Rubble in Turkey

Student, two teachers saved as Turkey accepts international help

(NEWSER) - The death toll from Turkey’s earthquake has reached 461, but rescue work continues: Rescuers pulled an 18-year-old student and two young teachers from the rubble today, days after the earthquake struck. Tiny cameras on sticks helped rescuers find the student, the AP reports. In other good news, the 2-week-old baby rescued yesterday has been declared healthy in an Ankara hospital. More»

Turkey: 'It Is Time Israel Pays a Price'

Country expels Israeli ambassador, cuts military ties

(AP) - Turkey is expelling its Israeli ambassador and cutting military ties with Israel over Israel's refusal to apologize for last year's deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla . Turkey's foreign minister said today that his country is downgrading diplomatic ties to the level of second secretary; the ambassador is to leave Turkey by Wednesday. Turkey is also suspending all military agreements signed between the former allies, saying "it is time Israel pays a price." More»

UN Backs Israel Blockade, But Faults Deadly Raid

Report criticizes 'excessive' violence that killed nine on ship

(NEWSER) - Israel has won a partial vindication from the UN in a report about its deadly raid on a Turkish flotilla last year that left nine activists dead. The report says Israel was within its rights to create a blockade of Gaza and to intercept ships at sea to enforce it, reports the New York Times . But it faulted Israeli commandos for using "excessive and unreasonable" violence when they boarded the main Turkish ship and shot activists. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Threats Cancel Turkey Concert With Israeli Singer

It was to feature Muslim, Jewish, and Christian artists

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Israel • Turkey • concert • Istanbul

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Turks Suspect Bird Is Israeli Spy

Villagers were certain bee-eater was hiding a microchip

Bomb-Carrying Woman Killed in Istanbul Blast

Police probe possible suicide bombing

Rescuers Pull 3 More From Rubble in Turkey

Student, two teachers saved as Turkey accepts international help

Turkey: 'It Is Time Israel Pays a Price'

Country expels Israeli ambassador, cuts military ties

UN Backs Israel Blockade, But Faults Deadly Raid

Report criticizes 'excessive' violence that killed nine on ship

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?