SIR Paul McCartney is to play a concert in Israel next month (Sep08) - 43 years after he was banned from performing in the nation.

The Israeli government barred McCartney and his Beatles bandmates in 1965, fearing they would corrupt young fans.

But they overturned the decision after Ron Prosor, Israel's ambassador to the U.K., visited The Beatles' hometown of Liverpool earlier this year (08) and apologised for the "misunderstanding".

McCartney will play a concert in Tel Aviv on 25 September (08).

He says, "We can't wait to get out there and rock.

"I've heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another.

"We are planning to have a great time and a great evening."