Madonna argued that spiritual leadership, not political maneuvering, offers the only path to meaningful change in the crisis. "Politics cannot affect change. Only consciousness can. Therefore I am reaching out to a Man of God," she stated in her post caption.

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Popstar Madonna has been given extra security after becoming the target of hateful comments online for expressing solidarity with Israel as it wages a war against the Hamas terrorist organization, according to the Daily Mail. 

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The singer was criticized despite also speaking out in support of Palestinians and wishes for peace for both sides, comments she made at a concert in London last week as part of her world tour celebrating 40 years of her career.

Video: Madonna speaks about Israel during a concert

"What's happening right now between Israel and Palestine, obviously is heartbreaking, and nobody wants to see what's happening," Madonna said. "'I see children being thrown off motorcycles, kidnapped, babies being decapitated, children at peace raves being shot and killed, what the f**k is going on in the world?"

The 65-year-old singer was later accused of being a "Zionist b***h," and a "criminal."

Madonna said she was "frightened and scared" by the conflict, but said it would be "irresponsible" not to speak up.

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Pop legend Madonna is sporting a new tattoo, in Hebrew, no less.

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On Sunday, Madonna posted a picture of herself in her tattoo parlor of choice and showed of her wrist, which bore a newly-inked tattoo of the Hebrew word "Ve'yishakhu."

In an accompanying video clip, Madonna explains to her daughter that the word means "kiss" in Hebrew.

But Hebrew has a word for kiss ("neshika"), and that is not what the singer's tattoo says. "Ve'yishakhu" is taken from a verse of the Book of Genesis. When Jacob leaves Haran, he is afraid of encountering his brother Esau, so divides his camp of followers into two. When the brothers meet, the Bible says, "Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)

Not only can "Ve'yishakhu" be literally translated as "and kissed him," rather than the simple noun for "kiss," but this verse is also interpreted as indicating that Esau's heart was not behind the kiss he bestowed on Jacob. In fact, "Esau hates Jacob" is a saying used to express the sense that other nations will always hate the Jews.

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In the video, posted to Instagram under the hashtag #miracles, the 62-year-old is seen with her son, David Banda, 15, and twin daughters, Esther and Stella, 8.

As David Banda lights the candles, Madonna is seen holding her son's hand and explaining "there is a lot of darkness" in our world, "and we want to bring light to dark places."

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During the point-tally of Saturday's grand finale, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulásson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos.

In earlier remarks to the Eurovision fan site wiwibloggs, Hannigan had criticized Israel's settlements and what he described as "apartheid" in occupied Palestinian territory.

The flag display, briefly caught on the live TV relay of the 41-country contest, marked the only disruption of a show that had been a focus of anti-Israel boycott calls, and drew a swift rebuke from the European Broadcasting Union.

"The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules," Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation CEO Eldad Koblenz told Ynet TV.

A European Broadcast Union spokesman declined direct comment, saying the matter was under discussion.

EBU rules allow for disqualifying contestants who do not abide by requirements for a "non-political event." Asked what other penalties might be available, the spokesman said: "In the past, there have been financial sanctions for rule breaches." He did not elaborate on these cases.

Hatari's song "Hate Will Prevail," during which the leather-and-latex-clad performers thrashed around a grenade-shaped globe as flames shot from the stage, came in 10th out of the 26 finalists.

Their flag display did not impress the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, which had urged countries to shun the Tel Aviv Eurovision. None did.

"Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line #Hatari," the campaigners said on Twitter.

Koblenz was more upbeat about a political display by Madonna, whose much-anticipated, two-song guest performance in the final featured two backup dancers, with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs, walking in an embrace.

"We are very happy that she came, certainly in a reality when very few artists are prepared to come to Israel," he said, though "perhaps she's had more successful shows."

The EBU said that Madonna had not cleared that part of the act with broadcasters and "was advised as to the nonpolitical nature of the event."

Madonna later defended the stunt on Twitter, sharing a clip of the dancers and writing, "I am grateful for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world."

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation had no advance notice of Hatari's or Madonna's flag displays, Koblenz said: "That's the price of a live broadcast."

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Dutch singer-songwriter Duncan Laurence beat 25 other contestants in the grand finale in Tel Aviv to win the glass microphone trophy.

The 25-year-old favorite won 492 points with his piano ballad "Arcade" about a failing relationship. His victory gives the Netherlands the right to host the 2020 finals. Italy came in second, with 465 points and Russia third, with 369.

After receiving the prize from last year's winner, Israeli singer Netta Barzilai, Laurence said that he hoped he had touched listeners. "Believe in your music, believe in your artistry," he said.

This year's competition was more political than usual, held against the backdrop of a campaign by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement that urged artists, fans and broadcasters to shun the event.

But no singers or broadcasters pulled out, and only a small crowd of protesters turned up outside the venue.

However, pop superstar Madonna sprang a surprise during her guest performance of two songs - her iconic 1989 hit "Like A Prayer" and a new number, "Future," sung alongside the American rapper Quavo.

At the close of the second number, two backup dancers briefly appeared on stage wearing the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their costumes.

The European Broadcasting Union, which co-produced the contest alongside Israel's national broadcaster, issued a statement immediately after her performance. "This element of the performance was not cleared with the EBU and the Host Broadcaster, Kan. The Eurovision Song Contest is a nonpolitical event and Madonna had been made aware of this," it said.

The 60-year-old singer, who is a follower of the mystical form of Judaism called Kabbalah, had faced criticism for performing at the event.

She defended her decision, issuing a statement earlier in the week that she would always speak up to defend human rights and that she hoped to see "a new path toward peace."

Hatari, Iceland's entrant, drew boos from the audience when the band held up small Palestinian banners live on air during voting. The EBU said that the political display "directly contradicts the contest rules."

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Madonna is scheduled make a guest appearance on Saturday during the Eurovision finals in Tel Aviv. The venue has prompted calls for a boycott by pro-Palestinian activists who want companies, performers and governments to disengage from Israel.

The popular Eurovision competition features musicians from more than 40 nations and was watched last year by some 189 million viewers in around 50 European countries.

In her first comment on her decision to sing at the event, Madonna said she was a supporter of all human rights.

"I'll never stop playing music to suit someone's political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be," the singer said in a statement to Reuters.

"My heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict. I hope and pray that we will soon break free from this terrible cycle of destruction and create a new path towards peace," she added.

Israel is hosting the Eurovision contest after local singer Netta Barzilai won last year. The winning country customarily hosts the following year.

Madonna, 60, is expected to perform two songs in Tel Aviv, one from her upcoming "Madame X" album to be released in June. She had taken her world tours to Israel in 2009 and 2012, and is a follower of the mystical form of Judaism called Kabbalah.

The singer's Ray of Light foundation, which promotes social justice and women's empowerment worldwide, supports a number of Palestinian projects.

They include funding teachers' salaries at schools in the Gaza Strip through the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency UNRWA and micro loans to female farmers through the Palestine Fair Trade Association. The foundation also supports Americans for Peace Now, which campaigns for a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel has launched a PR campaign to counter calls for a boycott of the Eurovision contest by the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Security has been tight in Tel Aviv amid fears that activists may seek to disrupt the competition.

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Concert promoters Live Nation Israel and the singer's U.S. representatives confirmed reports in Israeli media that Madonna will perform two songs in Tel Aviv during the three-day Eurovision competition in May, which features musicians from more than 40 nations.

Israel was chosen to host the contest after local singer Netta Barzilai won last year in Portugal with "Toy," propelling her to international stardom. The winning country customarily hosts the following year.

The Israeli venue has already prompted calls for a boycott of the event by supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement who are campaigning for companies, performers and governments to disengage from Israel.

In January, some 50 British celebrities, including singers Roger Waters and Peter Gabriel, wrote a letter calling on the BBC to press for the 2019 Eurovision contest to be relocated.

Madonna took her world tours to Israel in 2009 and 2012 and has been a follower of the mystical form of Judaism called Kabbalah.

She has been working on an untitled new album for the last several months.

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