Israel apologises to the surviving Beatles after 1965 brush-off

Israel wants to kiss and make up with the Beatles, 43 years after cancelling the groups concert date in the country.

London, Jan 29 : Israel wants to kiss and make up with the Beatles, 43 years after cancelling the group's concert date in the country.

The country plans to deliver letters of apology to the two surviving members and to relatives of the dead Beatles.

"We would like to take this opportunity to rectify a historic missed opportunity which unfortunately took place in 1965 when you were invited to Israel," the Telegraph quoted the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot, as stating in the letter.

"Unfortunately the state of Israel cancelled your performance in the country due to lack of budget and because several politicians in the Knesset had believed at the time that your performance might corrupt the minds of the Israeli youth," the newspaper stated.

Israel's ambassador to Britain Ron Prosor was due to meet Julia Baird, the sister of the late John Lennon, on Jan 28 during a visit to Liverpool.

Yediot said that Prosor was expected to use the occasion to invite the surviving members to play at Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations in May this year.

Other copies of the letter would go out to Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and the relatives of the late George Harrison.

"There is no doubt that it was a great missed opportunity to prevent people like you, who shaped the minds of the generation, to come to Israel and perform before the young generation in Israel who admired you and continues to admire you," the letter said.

ANI