Why were the Beatles banned in Israel in 1965?

Arpeggionist

Their music was seen in Israel at the time as a dangerous influence, not unlike much of the rest of the world (or the older people in the world anyway) at the time. Now, it is my understanding that the Beatles' music was never banned in Israel, but they themselves were barred from entering the country to perform. Sep 25 08, 8:09 PM

zbeckabee

The Beatles had been booked to appear in Israel in 1965 but government officials refused to grant the necessary permits, citing concerns that the tousled-haired British band and its strident, amplified music could corrupt the morals of Israeli youth. The Yediot Ahronot newspaper quoted extensively from a letter of apology it said Israel's ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, was due to give to slain Beatle John Lennon's sister Julia Baird on Monday at The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, the group's birthplace. It said copies of the letter would also be sent to relatives of late guitarist George Harrison and to survivors Paul McCartney, 65, and Ringo Starr, 67. "We should like to take this opportunity to correct the historic omission which to our great regret occurred in 1965, when you were invited to Israel," Yediot quoted the letter as saying. "We should like to see you sing in Israel." In Jerusalem, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel confirmed that Prosor would meet Baird and invite her to Israel for the gala marking Israel's founding in May 1948. But he said he had no knowledge of any letter of apology or of invitations to Paul and Ringo to perform. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=4199077 Sep 25 08, 9:14 PM

Arpeggionist

Well, at least they were vindicated last night, when Paul McCartney performed in Tel Aviv at a well attended concert... Sep 26 08, 4:19 AM

BRY2K

I couldn't have said it better myself....good work everyone! You beat me to the punch on a topic that is close to my heart, but alas I am a little to late to add value to this discussion. I might enlighten only with this information: Forty-two years after the Beatles were refused entry to the country a new investigation has found that the band was barred because Israeli authorities believed the fab four provoked aggression and "sexual stimuli" and had no artistic merit. The decision was taken by Israel's guardians of public morals, who were still recovering from the sight of teenagers swooning to the music of Cliff Richard when he toured there in 1963. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3045734/Israel-banned-the-Beatles-fearing-hysteria.html Sep 26 08, 2:08 PM