The difference between the pope going to Israel and Cohen going to Israel… The fact that Cohen is Jewish is not a factor as public figures from all religious backgrounds are asked not to go. The Israeli media treats any public figure who goes as a validation of its government which is all the more r...

Unfortunately, finishing his tour in Israel represents a political position no matter what Leonard Cohen may feel about the Palestine-Israel conflict. This was in Ha'aretz, an Israeli newspaper, yesterday: "activists called on supporters to write to Cohen's manager and leave messages on his off...