Madonna’s love fest in Tel Aviv

September 2, 2009 - 12:43 PM by David

YouTube Preview ImageMadonna could have come onstage Tuesday night at Hayarkon Park and lipsynched to playbacks (some say she did), tripped on her own two feet and yawned her way through her two-hour set. And still, as soon as she grabbed an Israeli flag and paraded around the stage with it draped around her neck, the audience of 50,000 fans would have gone wild.

Thankfully, for those that paid around $100 for a ticket, Madonna was in fine form, despite some complaints from audience members about the song selection which focused more on latter day material which isn’t as compelling as her career highlights.

But more significant than the show were Madonna’s words and actions – which displayed a great affinity for Israel, where she’s closing her Sweet & Sticky world tour with two shows, the second of which takes place on Wednesday night.

“It’s been 16 years since I played in Israel. I’m sorry about that, I shouldn’t have stayed away so long,” she told the crowd during a break between songs, alluding to her last show here in 1993 in the same venue. “It won’t happen again.”

“Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve been super energized,” she continued. Israel is the energy capital of the world. If we can live together in harmony in this place, we can live in peace all over the world.”

The crowd reacted by chanting her adopted Hebrew name “Esther, Esther…”

Then, during the electrifying finale, “Give It 2 Me,” Madonna jumped off the stage to the no-man’s land before the audience, and stuck her mike into fans’ faces (an interesting aside – the ear-fastened microphones that Madonna helped popularized and in Israel are actually called “Madonnas” were nowhere to be seen).

That was when she grabbed an Israeli flag out of the crowd and brought it back on stage. Kabbala based or not, I can’t think of any other major celebrity who has created such a connection with the country, and quite clearly loves being here.

On Tuesday night, Madonna embraced Israel, and Israel gave a big hug back.

Tags: , , • Category: A New Reality, General, Life, Music, Pop Culture 

Comments

6 Comments on Madonna’s love fest in Tel Aviv

  1. Lisa on Wed, Sep 2nd 2009 4:33 PM

    2. I was thinking during the concert about how she didn’t use a “Madonna”! You seem to have enjoyed the concert a lot more than I, and others I know, did. Were you in the grass area or VIP section or some place else?

  2. David-Joe on Thu, Sep 3rd 2009 3:41 AM

    3. Yes all well and good – the reality is that she stayed away during the high point of her career and it was not accidental – she does not do that.

    Secondly, it is not “living together in harmony…etc” and all the other liberal bs that is mindlessly mouthed, – it is that the Arabs have to regcognize Israel’s right to exist.

    They do not and nothing indicates that they ever will.

    In my life I have seen too many people go off to war and its results. There is today only one reason – no matter what the Arabs say – that Israel’s borders are so quiet and that is the IDF.

    It will not be settlements – the misguided idea that has been adopted by Obama and the rest, that magically solve this situation.

    I have no idea what Madonna’s intention is. She arrives and all the idiots are eating out of her hand. And Esther? If that is not a lesson in ego then nothing is. This woman with her “khabalah” nonsense – one cannot cherry pick and make up a phoney religion.

    And the flag – does she have any idea or interest in what has been suffered to raise the flag and keep it flying? She has no privilege to that. Those that have real privilege lie buried and remembered, always.

    I respect Maddonna for her success, but do not be overwhelmed and taken in by this fickle attempt to capture Israeli affection.

    I am one Israeli that says well and good be friendly to us – but do not imagine for one moment you understand or really have a stake in the reality and the consequences. So sing, enjoy and then go home.

  3. Tears as Madonna ends her Sticky and Sweet tour | ISRAELITY on Thu, Sep 3rd 2009 10:01 AM

    4. [...] David’s already pointed out in his post below, Israel loves Madonna ‘cos she really likes us. And with so many out there who [...]

  4. David-Joe on Fri, Sep 4th 2009 4:35 AM

    5. If you believe anything that Madonna says then you deserve her.

  5. Madonna performs in Tel Aviv « Israel That Is Real on Fri, Sep 4th 2009 8:23 AM

    6. [...] Source: Israelity [...]

  6. Simon on Thu, Sep 24th 2009 8:57 AM

    7. Lets not over-think this one, people. You enjoyed the concert? Good. Madonna’s expressions toward Israel are welcome, and both that and her religious beliefs are part of her personal expression and the message she chooses. No need to question, or even worry about how authentic her sentiments are. Celebrities are humans too. Give them room to have their own journey. PS… I love her – she is an amazing personality!

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