Justin Bieber's Trip to Isreal

Netanyahu's office suggests that Bieber didn't want to meet with children who had recently come under siege from rocket fire, which the singer's rep denies.
Justin Bieber won't be meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his Thursday concert in Tel Aviv after all. Netanyahu's spokesperson tells the New York Times that Bieber's camp approached his office to set up a meeting, and that the prime minister was "open to that." But after the PM's office suggested including kids from Southern Israel who have been under rocket fire from Gaza, Bieber's representatives backed away from the meeting, the office implied, according to the Times. "Sadly," the spokesman told the Times, "that proved impossible." A member of Bieber's camp told the Times that discussions were halted because of logistical, not personal reasons, chalking it up to miscommunications. Camps for both said the meeting had never been finalized. Said a rep for Bieber: "Justin welcomes the chance to meet with kids facing difficult circumstances, regardless of their background, and in fact, he had already invited children from the Sderot area," which is near the Gaza border. Bieber has been Tweeting about his annoyance at being pulled into the diplomatic snafu. "i want to see this country and all the places ive dreamed of and whether its the paps [paparazzi] or being pulled into politics its been frustrating," he said. Of the paparazzi, he Twittered: “They should be ashamed of themselves. Take pictures of me eating but not in a place of prayer, ridiculous.” Said Bieber's rep: "Despite some logistical challenges, Justin is enjoying his first trip to Israel." - The Hollywood Reporter