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Morrissey says 'Israel is God's country' in first of two sold out shows

The ageing rocker filled a stadium in Binyamina in Northern Israel

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British singer Morrissey performs during a concert at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, on November 22, 2018. (Photo by CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO CRUZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Morrissey has said he was "thrilled" to be in Israel at a concert in the northern Israeli town of Binyamina.

Performing to a sold-out stadium of over 1300, the former Smiths frontman entertained an Israeli crowd with a 75 minute set featuring hits like “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One,” “Half a Person” and “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.”

The singer name-checked the small town of Binyamina in his remarks between songs , saying: “Binyamina, Binyamina, bring me home, take me in your arms,”

“I’m very happy to be here in God’s country, the heart of the world,”

But despite his vocal support of the country, The Times of Israel described Morrissey's performance as "listless."

The Binyamina gig was the first in a series of two shows this month for Morrissey, who will take to the stage in Tel Aviv tomorrow (July 4).

Morrissey's public support for Israel is well documented and stretches back over 10 years.

In 2008, he rejected BDS demands to cancel a concert in Tel Aviv, defiantly performing and ending his show by saying "God Bless Israel."

The singer was also honoured by the mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai, who gave him a key to the city in 2012. "I have become a small face of Tel Aviv. I will be very happy to represent with integrity and loyalty,” the singer said at the time.

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