Madonna made it kosher. Paul M has also done it. They have proved that you can have a great rock show in Israel, and not make it a political event.

The year 2010 is set to put Israel on the world “rock and pop” music map. Final arrangements for Beyonce, U2 and Coldplay are in the making. However, the list below is a stunning selection of entertainers, who will be gracing the holy land with their talents over the next few months. With most of the concerts in the Tel Aviv area, consider the following attractions: –

• 5 March – Alison Moyet
• 7-8 March – Alan Parsons
• 30 May – Rihanna
• 4-5 June – Joan Armatrading
• 9 June – Pixies
• 17 June – Elton John, my wife’s hero
• 30 June – Elvis Costello
• 1 July – Rod Stewart
• 7 August – Jethro Tull

My friends are used to organising trips to London or New York, which includes a package to various theatres. Israel is beginning to offer some serious tourist competition to those destinations, with a few incomparable biblical and natural beauty sites thrown in for good measure.