The following Press Notice has been sent out and will appear on the ZF Website zionist.org.uk

ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION WILL NOT BE HALTED BY EXTREMISM

Story Date: Tuesday 13th April 2010

Confusion surrounded the announcement that Eurovision entrant and Arab Israeli singer Mira Awad would be withdrawing from a concert to celebrate Israel’s Independence in central London. Mira was due to appear in the ZF organised celebration on Monday 19th April as half of the headline act with co-singer NOA, one of Israel’s top performing artists. NOA issued the following statement:

“I am extremely disappointed that Mira Awad will not be performing as my guest in London on April 19th. Due to vulgar threats made to her and her family and Ofer our manager. By small-minded, cold-hearted people, she was forced to cancel. Mira and I, together and apart, will continue to fight with the tools at our disposal, words and music, to change this awful reality. We believe wholeheartedly that "there must be another way"!

Mira has since denied the death threats, but the ZF said it stood by its initial announcement and regretted the sad situation in which the singer is clearly under continuing pressure. Chief Executive Alan Aziz said:

“We do not wish to comment further on this sad story except to say that the message coming from Arab extremists in Israel will not deter the ZF from celebrating Israel’s birthday, its diversity, its rich culture and most importantly, its democracy”

The ZF has organised Israel Independence Day concerts in the UK for the last 20 years, marking Israel’s 60th birthday at Wembley Stadium two years ago with the biggest Israel concert to be held in the world on that day. It is expecting a large crowd this year for NOA, and for X Factor’s Stacey Solomon, who will also make an appearance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE FILMING PLEASE CONTACT

ALAN AZIZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the ZIONIST FEDERATION

email - alan@zfuk.org

Tel: 020 82020202