July 22, 2010

By Associated Press

The lead singer of the iconic 1970s disco group Boney M says the band was asked to skip one of its biggest hits in a West Bank concert this week.

Maizie Williams says Palestinian concert organizers told her not to sing "Rivers of Babylon." The song's chorus quotes from the Book of Psalms, referring to the exiled Jewish people's yearning to return to the land of Israel.

Palestinians often question the Jewish historical connection to the Holy Land.

Williams said she did not know if it was "a political thing or what, but they asked us not to do it and we were a bit disappointed." Organizers said they asked for the song to be skipped, deeming it "inappropriate."

The Palestinian International Festival continues Thursday (July 22) in the West Bank.

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