SINGER and United Nations Messenger of Peace Stevie Wonder has cancelled a planned performance for the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces after several organisations asked him not to perform.

The veteran soul star, 62, was to sing at a December 6 fundraising gala in Los Angeles hosted by the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces, an organisation set up to help those serving and families of fallen soldiers. Wonder said the UN recommended cancelling his performance because he is an official UN Messenger of Peace.