Threats Cancel Turkey Concert With Israeli Singer

It was to feature Muslim, Jewish, and Christian artists
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 10, 2011 10:45 AM CDT
Turkey Cancels Istanbul Peace Concert Amid Threats From Protesters About Israeli Singer
Turkish demonstrators chant Islamic slogans during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey.   (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)

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. (More Israel stories.)

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