Shock Schlock - Unholy Madonnas in Suicide Vests shut down in Tel Aviv by censors

Sophisticated gallery goers in Tel Aviv were offended by the latest shock schlock exhibit, showing sweet-faced Christian saints who, on second glance, must be strapped for oblivion under their garb, in spite of their halos. Still feels a tad raw after the bloody excesses of Intifada. The Independent's Lynfield reports about the latest on the cultural scene in the Big Falafel, the explosive mix of art and politics, after that other Madonna, aka Esther, just flounced through the Holy Land her red kabbala string (bikini). The story was first broken by Ynet news.

Galina Bleich, one of the artists, said the works were meant to show the horror of women carrying out suicide bombings. "A child in the hands of Madonna is in danger, that's what should concern people. This is not only an Israeli problem, but a worldwide problem, and that is why we chose Madonna, a Christian symbol," she told Israel's Y-net news service.

Bleich said she had the idea for the exhibit after finding herself at the scene of a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. "From then I haven't stopped thinking about it... We are trying to ask how a woman who is intended to love and give birth turned into a source of hatred and murder."

Envoy with clout: Madge, aka Esther

Madonna and a Hollywood claque of Kabbalah neo-mystics celebrated the Jewish New Year in Israel. Afterward, the singer met with Israeli President Shimon Peres to discuss the peace process.

Madonna and her film director husband, Guy Ritchie, joined thousands of followers of Kabbalah in Tel Aviv last week to celebrate the Jewish New Year. The actress Demi Moore and her husband, actor Ashton Kutcher, fashion designer Donna Karan and former moonbat talk-show host Rosie O'Donnell tagged along.
Madonna merited a 2-hour meeting with Peres, who as Lauren Bacall's cousin, has Hollywood links of his own. She reportedly gushed: "Tell me what I should do, Mr. Peres, because I am in love with Israel.” It was almost a Marilyn Monroe moment.
They discussed how to advance the peace process, and the need for conciliation and tolerance throughout the world. Madonna promised to promote such values in her songs and kiddie books.
As she ages, Madonna has become increasingly involved in humanitarian issues. She is also behind the trend of Hollywood stars dabbling in the mystical form of Judaism called Kabbalah, which is said to be too powerful for the under-40s. Sorry about that, Kutcher. Esther is the plain Biblical name she prefers for her Kabbalah persona, in which red string replaces glitz on her muscled wrists.

Madonna last visited Israel three years ago, on a Kabbalah-centered trip to the north. But her virgin trip here was in 1993, when she performed as the material girl in Tel Aviv's Hayarkon Park. She'll be back next weekend for Yom Kippur. What might happen if she would meet with the Palestinian side? Or, say, joined the quartet? The mind only boggles.