At a time international performers boycott Israel, Sir Elton John refused to bow down to pro-Palestinian pressure and played to tens of thousands at the Ramat Gan stadium Thursday night, telling the audience “no one could stop us from coming here.”
 

Playing for the first time since 1993, John was clearly moved by the crowd that gathered to hear the megastar belt out an array of his top hits.
 

"We're spreading peace and love on this stage and we're happy to be here," he said.
 

Prior to his arrival in Israel John said on his website, “I have always believed that music inhabits a world set apart from politics, religious differences or prejudice of any kind.”
 

The superstar’s performance comes on the heels of cancellations by well-known artists such as British rocker Elvis Costello, Carlos Santana and Gil Scott-Heron, who caved in to pro-Palestinian pressure.
 

Other artists who cancelled performances in Israel, following the Israeli raid on the Gaza bound flotilla last month include the Pixies, Klaxons, Gorillaz, and, this week, Dvendra Barnhart.