Barbra Streisand - Streisand Denies Bush Snub

LATEST: BARBRA STREISAND has denied she cancelled a planned appearance at Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations as a snub to U.S. President GEORGE W. BUSH.

The Jewish singer was scheduled to sing at the event, hosted by the country's president Shimon Peres, in Jerusalem next month (May08), where she was expected to perform a rendition of Hebrew prayer Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father Our King).

But the Funny Girl star pulled out of the appearance on Tuesday (22Apr08), prompting speculation that she was angered by the planned appearance of the American president at the event.

Streisand has long been a critic of the U.S. leader, voicing her displeasure in a series of statements on her official website, and she was reported to have cancelled the gig in protest.

But Streisand's spokesman DICk Gutman insists the rumours are not true.

He tells New York gossip column PageSix, "However she feels about our current president, that would not have precluded her attendance.

"And, besides, it's a three-day event, so simultaneous participation would have been easily avoided."

No other reason for Streisand's withdrawal was given.