Madonna took to the stage at last night’s Eurovision final, and made a political reference despite the song contest’s neutral political stance.
The 60-year-old pop icon paid homage to her career by performing a rendition of her anthem Like A Prayer, to mark 30 years since the song’s release.
During the performance, Israeli and Palestinian flag symbolism was used.
In a statement to the BBC, the Eurovision said: “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 was not the only person to make reference to the Palestinian/Israeli political situation.
Iceland’s Eurovision act displayed Palestinian flags while their public vote was being announced.
