In recent years, the musician-turned-innovator created a series of wearable devices, including a smartwatch and earphones, which haven’t entirely taken off. Will.i.am was in Israel to take part in an innovation conference held by Improvate, an Israeli organization that works to advance Israeli technology. His i.am+ tech firm acquired an Israeli start-up in 2016 and he has made repeated visits to the country to connect with its vibrant tech scene. Resisting the boycott calls over the years, will.i.am has deepened his ties to the country with his “core passion” - technology.

One of the group’s major hits, “I Gotta Feeling,” is laced with Hebrew and the Black Eyed Peas recently collaborated on a song with Israeli pop duo Static and Ben El.

He said his first girlfriend was Israeli and that at its beginnings in Los Angeles, the group met to make music in an Israeli friend’s bedroom and would enjoy Sabbath dinners at his home. Will.i.am pointed to his many personal connections to Israelis as a reason why he couldn’t boycott the country. It urged supporters to use the hashtag #WhereIsTheLoveforPalestinians - a nod to the group's hit “Where is The Love” - to call for the group to cancel its performance. Israel says the campaign is an effort to delegitimize and even destroy the country.Ī statement on the BDS France website said the concert was “even more scandalous” because it was taking place on the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The BDS movement says it is a nonviolent campaign against Israeli abuses against Palestinians - both Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians who have lived under Israeli military occupation for more than half a century. So, you know, there’s beautiful people here as well as beautiful people in Palestine. “Do I turn my back on people that live here because of politics? No, that’s not the way we were built.

“I’m a musician and a tech enthusiast and people like our music,” he said, flanked by two of the group’s other members, Taboo and Apl.de.ap.

Black eyed peas i gotta feeling tab