US alternative rock band The Pixies on Sunday cancelled their first-ever performance in Israel, the Tel Aviv promoters said in a statement, without giving any reason for the last-minute decision.

The group was to have performed a single gig on Wednesday as part of five-day music festival in Tel Aviv, but pulled out just days after a deadly Israeli naval raid on a foreign aid flotilla, which has provoked a huge international backlash.

"It is with great regret that we announce today The Pixies' decision to cancel their appearance in Israel on June 9," promoter Shuki Weiss said in a statement.

"We'd like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans, but events beyond all our control have conspired against us," it said, adding that all tickets would be fully refunded.

The move came just days after two British bands pulled out of the same music festival, Pic.Nic 2010, which started on Saturday and runs until June 9.

London-based indie punk band Klaxons and Gorillaz, a hiphop project fronted by Blur's Damon Albarn, were supposed to headline Pic.Nic 2010 but pulled out on Thursday in a move believed to be linked to the aid flotilla storming.

In recent months, Israel has been hit by a string of cancellations by high profile musicians, including Britain's Elvis Costello, rock guitarist Carlos Santana and rap forefather Gil Scott-Heron, after they came under pressure over Israel's policies towards the Palestinians.

The Pixies' decision to cancel comes three months after the band received an open letter from Israeli human rights activists urging them not to come to the Jewish state.

"As much as some of us are huge fans and would love to hear your show, we won't cross the international picket line that is growing in numbers steadily nowadays to come and see you," the group Boycott! wrote in an open letter to the band sent on March 1.

"The picket line might not always be visible; yet it is there. Are you prepared to perform in Tel Aviv while, just under your nose, millions of human beings are suffocating under a cruel Israeli military regime, denying them elementary human rights?"

Three weeks ago, Costello called off two gigs which were due to have taken place in the coastal city of Caesaria on June 30 and July 1, citing Israel's "intimidation" and "humiliation" of Palestinians.

However, singer-songwriter Diana Krall, who is married to Costello, is still expected to go ahead with a performance in Israel in August.

In recent months, various Palestinian groups have stepped up a campaign for an academic and cultural boycott of Israel to protest its occupation of Palestinian territory.

Sources; http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100606/twl-us-rockers-the-pixies-cancel-israel-3cd7efd_1.html

We came closer and then we saw the "Socialist Worker Party" and "Free Palestine" banner and posters. Our heart was so happy because we thought, we were in a wrong one. Da da da. Lol.
There was almost no Muslim community. I was shocked and disappointed because I am a Muslim. Where is the voice of peace that Muslim people is talking about?

But somehow, I met nice people thou. I was also got a chance to speak in the protest. There was a guy asked me to speak as a part of AMNESTY volunteer and speaker. It was funny and a little bit shy-shy cat. But I love and enjoy it. Thanks! :) Another brave young speaker!

Even though, there was a big protest in London, it does not matter. Even though, I really wanna go in London one, but today God gave me to speak as behalf of Muslim. There must be a reason.

Talking about Peace, it does not excluded any Israeli. There are some of nice Israeli who help and support the Palestinian.Watch this video.



I wish I can make more friend with Israeli. I do want to know them. I do care about Israeli who cares about peace, Palestine, human rights and humanity. I used to have an Israeli friend on Facebook. He told me, his government such a bad one because they are forcing their people (youngster especially) to be a part of Israel Defence Force. If not, they will send them to prison as the punishment. I feel really sorry for them. It was such a nice meeting to know this Israeli friend.

Among us, the prejudice to Jewish and Israeli was misguided by their evil Zionist. Its like a white milk will get brown when coco powder is mixing with them. To judge people is so easy but the true judge we will see on the Day of Judgment. May Allah keep the peace among us,regardless of religion,culture,language,skin colours,status,age and etc! Amen :)

When the ship of humanitarian aid has been attacked by the Israeli troops, the world will against and fight the Israeli back!

The Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dr Zion Evrony said he was "sorry that lives were lost and that killing people was never our intention". Very funny.Indeed.

From AMNESTY the International Human Rights Organization,check it out- http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18782