Eurovision 2019: Madonna sparks controversy as dancers wear Palestinian and Israeli flags

Pop star had earlier defied calls to boycott event in Tel Aviv

Madonna did not have permission to make a political statement about the Israel-Palestine conflict during her Eurovision performance, organisers have said.

The pop star’s backing dancers were seen wearing Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs during the performance at the final in Tel Aviv tonight.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision,said it had not approved this part of the act because the event is “non-political”.

Madonna had earlier defied calls from pro-Palestinian activists to cancel the show, saying beforehand that she wanted to create “a new path toward peace”.

A spokesperson for the EBU told The Independent: “In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, two of Madonna’s dancers briefly displayed the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their outfits.

“This element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals which had been cleared with the EBU and the host broadcaster, KAN.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this.”

Madonna began her performance by singing her 1989 hit “Like a Prayer” to raucous applause at Tel Aviv’s Expo venue.

She then performed new song “Future”, a collaboration with Migos rapper Quavo who appeared on stage with her.

Earlier in the night she appeared in a pre-recorded message, warning the public to not “underestimate the power of music to bring people together”.

She said: “Look at all the delegates behind us, everyone here is from all over the world. So many countries that I have been privileged not just to visit but to experience.

“And the one thing that brings me to those countries, and the thing that brings all these people here tonight, is music.”

Madonna’s performance comes as she returns following a four-year hiatus.

She is preparing to release Madame X, her 14th album, and earlier this month announced a world tour including a string of shows at the London Palladium.

Additional reporting by agencies