Band member Ian Anderson said the proceeds of their show in Tel Aviv on Saturday, August 7, would be transferred to charities advancing co-existence between Jews, Arabs and Christians.

But Anderson added that his decision to keep the band’s Israel performance does not mean that he is “about to tell the rest of the musicians or crew what views they should hold or what to do with their remuneration”.

He continued: “To those who tell me I should ‘boycott’ Israel, I can only point out that on my travels around the world I am continually reminded of atrocities carried out historically by many nations who are now our friends.

“It serves to strengthen my resolve that some degree of peace and better understanding may result from my and other artists’ professional and humble efforts in such places.”

Meanwhile, British electronica duo Leftfield have cancelled their scheduled performance in Israel on August 31 due to what they referred to as “production problems”.

But their official Facebook page published a letter sent to them by the Boycott Israel group calling for them to “postpone your planned concert in Israel this summer, indefinitely”.

Leftfield joined a growing list of artists and musicians who have recently cancelled their shows in Israel due to political reasons, including Elvis Costello, The Pixies, Gil Scott Heron, Santana, The Klaxons and the Gorillaz Sound System.