Megadeth and CeeLo Green cancel Israel concerts

Megadeth's website said its 6 August gig in Tel Aviv was cancelled because "passage" for the band and its gear could not be "guaranteed".

Green's concert in Jerusalem on 19 August would have been his first in Israel.

A number of other artists have pulled out of concerts in recent weeks.

A brief statement on Megadeth's website said "the band was looking forward to this concert and is disappointed they will not be able to put on the show for their fans".

But the band "expects to return to Tel Aviv on their next international tour", it added.

Green had been due to perform in Independence Park in Jerusalem.

His promoter in Israel, Carmi Wurtman, told the Hollywood Reporter: "The artist and his crew really wanted to come, but unfortunately we were the ones who had to postpone it because this is not the right time to advertise and push a concert."

Wurtman added that restrictions in Israel limiting crowds to no more than 1,000 people was another reason for the cancellation.

Open gatherings of bigger crowds are prohibited in Israel amid fears that they will be targeted by Palestinian militants in Gaza who have fired rockets into Israel.

Other performers who have cancelled concerts recently include veteran singer Neil Young and American boyband Backstreet Boys.

Filming of the US TV drama, Tyrant, was relocated to Istanbul after Tel Aviv came under rocket fire.