In 1965 McCartney, 66, and his fellow Beatles were turned away by Israel's then education minister, David Zarzevski, who thought that a show by the band might corrupt the minds of the nation's youth.

However earlier this year, Israel's ambassador to Britan sent apology letters to McCartney and drummer Ringo Starr - as well as the relatives of deceased Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon - inviting them to play as part of the country's 60th birthday celebrations.

Ron Prosor, apologised for the "misunderstanding" and wrote: "There is no doubt that it was a great missed opportunity to prevent people like you, who shaped the minds of the generation, to come to Israel and perform."

"We missed a chance to learn from the most influential musicians of the decade."

McCartney, 66, is now said to be on the verge of signing a deal to play to 250,000 in Tel Aviv this September. He will either play at the nation's football station Ramat Gan or put on an open air gig in Hayarkon Park.

A source reveals, "Paul is desperate to put Israel on the map of places he's performed.

"He is pushing to make it happen, although the security issues are a real threat."