Singer bows to Hamas threats

JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (JTA) – A popular Israeli performer has canceled a planned concert in the West Bank town of Nablus because of Hamas threats. Zehava Benn, who has performed in packed concert halls in the Palestinian town, had first viewed the Islamic fundamentalist group’s threats as a joke. But she decided to cancel her next appearance after word was passed around Nablus that anyone attending the concert – including the singer herself – would be taking a risk. Benn has won fame across the Middle East for her repertoire, which includes songs in Hebrew, Arabic, Greek and Turkish. She has appeared frequently before Arab audiences in Israel, the Palestinian self-rule areas and neighboring Arab states.