McCartney in Bethlehem: I'm carrying peace message

British musician Paul McCartney is seen in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. McCartney is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv on Thursday for his first concert in Israel. McCartney is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv on Thursday for his first concert in Israel. In 1965, an Israeli official called off a Beatles concert for fear it would corrupt the nation's youth. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

BETHLEHEM, West Bank—Paul McCartney said Wednesday he's carrying a message of peace for Israel and the Palestinians, rejecting criticism of his planned concert in Tel Aviv. McCartney toured the West Bank town of Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

The 66-year-old former Beatle ducked into the fourth-century church through its low, narrow entrance, taking pictures with a small camera. He lit two long, tapered white candles in different parts of the church, saying each time that they were "for peace."

After posing for pictures with fans outside the fortress-like church, McCartney was asked to respond to criticism from some Palestinians that his visit to Israel supports its occupation of the West Bank.

He said his visit Wednesday to the West Bank showed he was not playing favorites.

"I'm here to highlight the situation and to say that what we need is peace in this region, a two-state solution," he said, referring to Israel and a Palestinian state.

"I get criticized everywhere I go, but I don't listen to them," McCartney said. "I'm bringing a message of peace, and I think that's what the region needs."

McCartney arrived Tuesday night ahead of his concert Thursday in Tel Aviv's largest park.

Four decades ago the Israeli government banned a planned concert by the Beatles, ruling that the rock group's performance could corrupt the morals of Israel's youth.

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(This version CORRECTS short overline from Israel to Bethlehem.)