U.S. singer Maddona starts world tour in Israel

 JERUSALEM, May 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. pop diva Madonna began her " MDNA Tour" in Israel's Tel Aviv on Thursday to promote her new album "MDNA" as well as peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The diva also donated 600 tickets to Israeli and Palestinian peace activists¹, but two Israeli left-wing organizations, Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity² Movement and Anarchists³ Against the Wall, turned down her invitation because of her support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Madonna often expressed support for Israeli policies and leaders, so when she says that she is seeking to hold a concert for peace, the term peace loses its meaning," Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement wrote on their Facebook wall.

Despite the controversy⁴, other peace organizations confirmed their attendance to the concert, which sold over 30,000 tickets.

Madonna announced earlier this week that she intends to talk about peace on the stage and hold a conference on this issue with peace activists.

It is the fourth time the Madonna has visited Israel, a country she feels a special attachment⁵ to, since she is a fervent⁶ follower⁷ of the Jewish mysticism art known as Kabbalah.

Local media estimated the cost of the concert is almost 4 million dollars, with a special stage built in Belgium being brought to Israel and over 100 dancers and 300 technicians flying with her from the United States.

After Israel, she will continue the tour in 32 different countries.

1 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

3 anarchists   

无政府主义者( anarchist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Anarchists demand the destruction of structures of oppression including the country itself. "无政府主义者要求摧毁包括国家本身在内的压迫人民的组织。
• Unsurprisingly, Ms Baburova had a soft spot for anarchists. 没什么奇怪的，巴布罗娃女士倾向于无政府主义。

4 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

5 attachment   

n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附

参考例句：

• She has a great attachment to her sister.她十分依恋她的姐姐。
• She's on attachment to the Ministry of Defense.她现在隶属于国防部。

6 fervent   

adj.热的，热烈的，热情的

参考例句：

• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。
• Austria was among the most fervent supporters of adolf hitler.奥地利是阿道夫希特勒最狂热的支持者之一。

7 follower   

n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒

参考例句：

• He is a faithful follower of his home football team.他是他家乡足球队的忠实拥护者。
• Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。