Former Beatle Will Play First Concert in Israel

Paul McCartney, one of two surviving members of the music group the Beatles, has arrived in Israel for his first concert in the Jewish state.

Thursday's concert is part of the musician's series called "Friendship First" that features performances in cities McCartney has not visited before.

The former Beatle says he hopes the concert will bring a message of peace to the Middle East.

Organizers say McCartney will perform at an outdoor venue in Tel Aviv for a crowd of at least 40,000 people.

In 1965 the Beatles were set to perform in Israel, but the concert was canceled after Israeli government officials said the band might be a corruptive influence.

The government formally apologized for the 1965 cancellation earlier this year.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.