JERUSALEM: Madonna talks peace with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, after being chased by paparazzi

Pop star Madonna and her husband film maker Guy Ritchie went on a private visit to Jerusalem, after attending a Kaballah conference in Tel Aviv to mark the Jewish New Year. Pop diva Madonna discussed world peace with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday (September 15) during a visit to the Holy Land for a conference about Jewish mysticism, Peres' office said. Dressed in black and wearing bright red lipstick, Madonna met the Nobel Peace prize laureate at his official residence after Jewish New Year celebrations officially ended on Saturday evening. Madonna was wearing a red thread on her wrist, which is sometimes worn by followers of Jewish mysticism to ward off the evil eye. Madonna, a lapsed Catholic who has become a follower of Jewish mysticism "Kabbalah" in recent years, spent more than 90 minutes with Peres talking about peace and reconciliation and asking questions about Israeli history, a spokeswoman for Peres said. The pop star pledged to use her songs to promote peace, and the two toasted the Jewish New Year, the spokeswoman added. Madonna, who has taken the Hebrew name Esther, has not spoken to the media since her arrival to the Holy Land on Wednesday (September 12). The "material girl", accompanied by her husband film maker Guy Ritchie, stayed in the coastal city of Tel Aviv for a conference on Kabbalah, a mystical form of Judaism. Tight security in and outside the David Intercontinental hotel prevented media crews from filming the American diva on her private visit. Other celebrity Kabbalah followers who took part in the international conference were American actor Ashton Kutcher, his wife actress Demi Moore and fashion designer Donna Karan. Madonna last visited Israel three years ago.

ITN Source | September 20, 2007

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