Rolling Stones' Israel concert won't conflict with religious observance

TEL AVIV, Israel, April 10 (UPI) -- The Rolling Stones’ first appearance in Israel falls on a Jewish religious holiday, June 4, but arrangements will be made to accommodate their observing Jewish fans.

The workhorse rock band, performing since 1962, will hit the stage at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park the moment the Shavuot religious holiday ends at sundown.

Knesset member Nissan Slomaiansky wrote a letter to concert promoter Shuki Weiss, pointing out the close proximity of the concert to the holiday could inconvenience the observant Jews among the Stones’ fans, Tel Aviv police and airport workers.

Others have made preparations to observe the holiday, which among other restrictions, obliges the faithful to walk instead of use other transportation. Short-term property rentals near the park are available, and concert publicist Nidar Oz said the promoters would coordinate offers with area hotels to serve those required to walk to the park.

The show will begin the moment Shavuot ends, providing some satisfaction for fans who have been waiting for the band to appear in Israel for years.

[Jerusalem Post]