Neil Young cancels concert in Israel over security fears

Neil Young and Crazy Horse have called off their show this weekin Tel Aviv citing Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamasmilitants in Gaza.

The concert was scheduled for Thursday at one of the city's main concert venues.

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A statement fromYoung's spokesperson said"It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we must cancel our one and only Israeli concert due to tensions which have rendered the event unsafe at this time.

"We'll miss the opportunity to play for our fans and look forward to playing in Israel and Palestine in peace."

Despite the band's statement, apolice spokesman told Reuters that it waspolicewho cancelled the show"in order not to put people in Gaza rocket range at unnecessary risk."

Despite disappointing fans in Israel,Young's repsaid the veteran rocker will make donationsto "two organizations that teach music to Palestinian and Israeli youth simultaneously by enabling them to play music together.

Big name artistslike JustinTimberlake,Rihannaand the Rolling Stoneshave all held shows in Israel in the past few months, despite calls from pro-Palestinian groups to boycott Israel over its policy toward Palestinians.

Palestinian officials say175 people have been killed by Israeli air attacks in the past week. Israel has said its offensive will continue until the heavy rocket fire from Hamas militants in Gaza stops.