Ozzy Osbourne has defied calls to boycott a performance in Israel this week.

The heavy metal star, who arrived in Israel on Sunday for the Tel Aviv leg of his OzzFest tour, said he had “no time” for politics.

“Politicians don't understand me and I don't understand them."

His wife Sharon, the daughter of the late Jewish music impresario Don Arden, added: "Britain has the IRA and no one cancels concerts there."

The former Black Sabbath singer also blamed the fact that he had not performed in Israel before on being “drunk for years.”

The concert, with supporting artists including the American band Korn, is to take place on Tuesday in the city’s Hayarkon Park.