Israel denies Elton John was asked to ‘declare loyalty’ to gain visa

Israel has been forced to reject a “delusional” claim that singer Elton John was asked to declare his allegiance to the country and its right to exist before an upcoming concert.

On Monday, the star’s concert organizer Shuki Weiss said John was issued the demand by Israel’s Interior Ministry as a condition for getting a visa, Israeli media reports suggest.

“Only two weeks ago Elton John was asked to sign a declaration of loyalty. That insane idea has been dropped,” he reportedly said.

Haaretz reports that John’s team had been confronted with the clause, which read: “I declare that I have never acted against the Jewish people or the security of the state of Israel.”

Israel’s Interior Ministry denied the existence of the clause, and said it could sue Weiss for defamation.

“We are talking about a blatant lie which is meant to provide headlines for the promoter at the expense of a government ministry,” spokeswoman Sabin Hadad said.

“No artist has ever been asked to sign such a declaration and to think such a thing is delusional.”

Elton John is scheduled to perform in Tel Aviv on May 26.