Simon Cowell pulls out as judge on Israel’s ‘X Factor’

Simon Cowell, a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” has canceled his appearance on Israel’s “X Factor.”

A source close to Cowell confirms that “Simon won’t be going to Israel after all,” The Jewish News of London reports. The report does not indicate why the British music impresario nixed plans to participate in the show later this year, or whether it was connected to the 11-day exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that ended with a ceasefire on May 21.

“For a number of reasons, he just can’t be there in Israel to film the show now,” says the unnamed source. “Of course he is bitterly disappointed – but it was a decision he had to take.”

Cowell is Christian, but his late father, Eric, was Jewish, as is his current partner, Lauren Silverman, who recently gave birth to the couple’s first child.

Reality music show mogul Simon Cowell will no longer join the Israeli version of ‘X Factor’ as a judge in the new season. (Courtesy ‘X Factor Israel’)