Johnny - Don't be Rotten

Artists who have this year already cancelled performances in Israel include Carlos Santana, The Pixies, The Klaxons, Gorillaz, Gil Scott-Heron and Elvis Costello. But not ex-Sex Pistols Johnny Rotten, who is happy to play in a country that violates countless international laws and is guilty of crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Pro-Palestine protesters are set to demonstrate outside a Johnny Rotten gig in Leeds on Friday.

Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon - aka Rotten - along with his group Public Image Limited are playing the Leeds leg of a European tour at the 02 Academy in Leeds city centre.

But members of the Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign are set to gather outside the concert to protest against his decision to perform in Israel in August. They've promised the performer a "lively and engaging picket" when he arrives at the gig.

A spokesperson for the Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: "Come on Johnny, don't make a rotten decision, don't play Israel! We're calling on your fans to tell you loud and clear – don't support Israel. Cancel your Tel Aviv gig and heed the Palestinian call for boycott."

Protesters will be gathered from 7pm in front of the O2 Academy in Cookridge Street. The spokesperson said the action forms part of a growing international campaign seeking to dissuade artists from performing in Israel in protest against Israeli policy against Palestinians.

"Leeds as a city has considerable involvement with the ongoing Palestinian quest for justice," the spokesperson added. "These include peace campaigners, trade unionists, faith groups and students - including many who've visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories on eg olive picking and football tours, as well as those fundraising and supporting humanitarian aid missions to Gaza via road and sea convoys."

Artists who have this year already cancelled performances in Israel include Carlos Santana, The Pixies, The Klaxons, The Gorillaz, Gil Scott-Heron and Elvis Costello.

A Facebook page calling for Lydon's boycott of Israel has hundreds of members.

Lydon has already hit back and vowed to perform in Israel. He said: "Of course there's all kind of politics going on down there. But there is just about all over the world. You cannot separate yourself from your audience because of political powers that be."

Similar actions are being planned across the country at upcoming Lydon gigs.