BBC News | MUSIC | Chili Peppers cancel Israeli gig

Funk-rock group the Red Hot Chili Peppers have pulled out of a planned concert in Israel in the wake of increased violence in the region.

Due to play a concert on 28 August near Tel Aviv, the band cancelled after the US government issued a warning to its citizens not to travel to Israel.

More than 15,000 people had already bought tickets to the concert, according to organisers - who said ticket holders would get their money back.

Promoter Shuki Weiss said: "Following the urgency and the increasing consistency of the incidents over the past weekend the band was forced to reach a decision to delay their visit.

Wall Street cafe, Kiryat Motzkin
Recent bombings have led to US warnings to travellers
"The production and the activity went on until yesterday (Monday) afternoon - but I can't say that over the last weekend there weren't some fears in my heart," Weiss told Israel Radio.

Nearly 680 people have been killed in the recent upsurge in fighting, damaging tourism to Israel by around 50%.

Weiss said he still hoped that the Red Hot Chili Peppers would come to Israel when the violence had subsided.

The promoter said that the band has told him they would "definitely come to Israel at a more suitable time."

The band began life as garage band Anthem in the 1980s but various line-up changes saw the group emerge as the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Albums include Californication and Out in LA.


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