Sir Paul McCartney will have “sacrifice operatives” waiting for him if he plays a concert in Israel this month, an Islamist militant leader has warned.

Omar Bakri said the former Beatle had become the “enemy of every muslim”.

Sir Paul is due to headline a concert in Tel Aviv on September 25th, which forms part of the Jewish state’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

But his participation has drawn criticism from some political bodies and extremists.

Speaking to the Express, Bakri, who now resides in Lebanon after being exiled from the UK, said: “Our enemy’s friend is our enemy.

“Thus Paul McCartney is the enemy of every Muslim. We have what we call ‘sacrifice’ operatives who will not stand by while he joins in a celebration of their oppression.

“If he values his life Mr McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there. The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him.”

Earlier this week, the former Beatle refused to bow to any threats, saying he does what he thinks and has many “friends who support Israel.”

The Beatles were banned by Israel in 1965 because the country's government feared that their music would corrupt young citizens.

But the ban was lifted this year by Israel's ambassador to the UK, who called it a “misunderstanding”.

This month's show is the latest in a line of one off concerts that Sir Paul has played in 2008.

(by Jason Gregory)