Sir Paul McCartney gets more protection than George W Bush
source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/09/25/exclusive-sir-paul-mccartney-gets-more-prot...
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- GeoffNI
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The vast security for Sir Paul McCartney’s Tel Aviv concert tonight even dwarfs the protection given to President Bush when he visited Israel.
A 5,000-strong security team will ensure Macca, 66, is watched around the clock in the wake of death threats from Islamic fanatics.
One security source said: “No one is taking anything for granted.
“The level of security is unlike anything we’ve seen. Everything is being done to ensure that this passes peacefully and without incident.”
A massive security army guarding Macca includes 20 agents from Israel’s elite Mossad intelligence organisation as well as officers from Britain’s MI6.
But the bulk will be made up of Israeli police officers who will throw a cordon around the Tel Aviv park where 70,000 fans will watch the ex-Beatle.
The cost of the operation is said to be £1.5million. The bill will be split between the show’s promoters and the Israeli government.
Macca’s team have hired three floors of Tel Aviv’s five star Dan Hotel. Twenty-one suites have been taken up at a cost of £70,000 to ensure no one gets near Macca, who is staying in the Royal Suite with partner Nancy Shevell.
The source said: “Only security and a handful of Macca’s entourage will be near him. Everything is tailored to ensure he is 100 per cent safe.”
Macca landed in Israel early yesterday. He was almost swamped by security as he passed through the VIP lounge to a convoy of cars waiting to take him to the hotel.
A 5,000-strong security team will ensure Macca, 66, is watched around the clock in the wake of death threats from Islamic fanatics.
One security source said: “No one is taking anything for granted.
“The level of security is unlike anything we’ve seen. Everything is being done to ensure that this passes peacefully and without incident.”
A massive security army guarding Macca includes 20 agents from Israel’s elite Mossad intelligence organisation as well as officers from Britain’s MI6.
But the bulk will be made up of Israeli police officers who will throw a cordon around the Tel Aviv park where 70,000 fans will watch the ex-Beatle.
The cost of the operation is said to be £1.5million. The bill will be split between the show’s promoters and the Israeli government.
Macca’s team have hired three floors of Tel Aviv’s five star Dan Hotel. Twenty-one suites have been taken up at a cost of £70,000 to ensure no one gets near Macca, who is staying in the Royal Suite with partner Nancy Shevell.
The source said: “Only security and a handful of Macca’s entourage will be near him. Everything is tailored to ensure he is 100 per cent safe.”
Macca landed in Israel early yesterday. He was almost swamped by security as he passed through the VIP lounge to a convoy of cars waiting to take him to the hotel.
