Sunday, September 19, 2004
Madonna's Bodyguards Get Physical
Fri Sep 17, 5:50 PM ET
By Sarah Hall
Madonna (news - web sites)'s spiritual quest has taken a decidedly secular turn.
•
News: Madonna TV concert axed
•
News: Madonna tells hikers to get lost
•
News: Madonna who? Call her Esther
E! Online Photo
Two of the Kabbalah devotee's bodyguards were arrested in Israel Friday after a scuffle with photographers outside of the Tel Aviv hotel where the singer is currently ensconced.
Madonna, or Esther as she's known to her fellow Kabbalahists, arrived in Israel Wednesday to celebrate the Jewish New Year along with 2,000 other students of the mystical faith.
Her visit has caused a media frenzy in the country, with local newspapers obsessively detailing her every move and 1,000 extra police officers dispatched to protect her and the other 2,000 members of her Kabbalah delegation.
Apparently, the added public scrutiny has caused her bodyguards to pump up their level of vigilance.
The brawl broke out after paparazzi types trailed the Material Girl back to her hotel from a restaurant.
According to published reports, her Israeli bodyguards knocked a photographer to the ground and kicked him in the face, before attacking another photographer who reportedly tried to intervene.
A police officer trying to break up the fight was also reportedly injured in the melee.
The two bodyguards were being detained for questioning by the Tel Aviv police department, according to a police spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the "Like a Prayer" singer reportedly missed the excitement, having already entered her hotel before the brawl began.
Madonna reportedly spent Thursday immersed in six hours of Kabbalah prayers and song in a makeshift synagogue constructed in the lobby of her hotel.
Other Holy Land activities on the singer's itinerary include stops at Jerusalem's Western Wall, the Kabbalah-friendly city of Safed in Northern Israel and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem.
Protesters awaited the popster-turned-pilgrim at Rachel's Tomb, demonstrating in support of Palestinians living under Israeli rule. The singer has been criticized by some pro-Palestinian groups for showing a lack of sensitivity to their issues.
On the flip side, the singer was also criticized by Orthodox Jews, who felt the singer had no business studying Kabbalah, given some of the more risqué values she has exhibited in the past.
But Madonna takes her adopted faith seriously and has reportedly been angered by reports that she is merely participating in a celebrity trend. (Stars such as Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears (news) and Paris Hilton are among other celebs who reportedly study Kabbalah.)
Reporters covering the singer's visit have been ordered to dress in all white in observance of Kabbalah policy and not to take notes on her religious activities.
The 2,000 person delegation with which Madonna is traveling was organized by the Los Angeles Kabbalah Center and includes students of the faith hailing from 22 countries.
Designer Donna Karan and Donald Trump's ex-wife, Marla Maples, are also part of the delegation.
Earlier this year, Madonna canceled three concerts on her re-Invention Tour roster that were scheduled in Israel due to security concerns.
Fri Sep 17, 5:50 PM ET
By Sarah Hall
Madonna (news - web sites)'s spiritual quest has taken a decidedly secular turn.
•
News: Madonna TV concert axed
•
News: Madonna tells hikers to get lost
•
News: Madonna who? Call her Esther
E! Online Photo
Two of the Kabbalah devotee's bodyguards were arrested in Israel Friday after a scuffle with photographers outside of the Tel Aviv hotel where the singer is currently ensconced.
Madonna, or Esther as she's known to her fellow Kabbalahists, arrived in Israel Wednesday to celebrate the Jewish New Year along with 2,000 other students of the mystical faith.
Her visit has caused a media frenzy in the country, with local newspapers obsessively detailing her every move and 1,000 extra police officers dispatched to protect her and the other 2,000 members of her Kabbalah delegation.
Apparently, the added public scrutiny has caused her bodyguards to pump up their level of vigilance.
The brawl broke out after paparazzi types trailed the Material Girl back to her hotel from a restaurant.
According to published reports, her Israeli bodyguards knocked a photographer to the ground and kicked him in the face, before attacking another photographer who reportedly tried to intervene.
A police officer trying to break up the fight was also reportedly injured in the melee.
The two bodyguards were being detained for questioning by the Tel Aviv police department, according to a police spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the "Like a Prayer" singer reportedly missed the excitement, having already entered her hotel before the brawl began.
Madonna reportedly spent Thursday immersed in six hours of Kabbalah prayers and song in a makeshift synagogue constructed in the lobby of her hotel.
Other Holy Land activities on the singer's itinerary include stops at Jerusalem's Western Wall, the Kabbalah-friendly city of Safed in Northern Israel and Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem.
Protesters awaited the popster-turned-pilgrim at Rachel's Tomb, demonstrating in support of Palestinians living under Israeli rule. The singer has been criticized by some pro-Palestinian groups for showing a lack of sensitivity to their issues.
On the flip side, the singer was also criticized by Orthodox Jews, who felt the singer had no business studying Kabbalah, given some of the more risqué values she has exhibited in the past.
But Madonna takes her adopted faith seriously and has reportedly been angered by reports that she is merely participating in a celebrity trend. (Stars such as Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears (news) and Paris Hilton are among other celebs who reportedly study Kabbalah.)
Reporters covering the singer's visit have been ordered to dress in all white in observance of Kabbalah policy and not to take notes on her religious activities.
The 2,000 person delegation with which Madonna is traveling was organized by the Los Angeles Kabbalah Center and includes students of the faith hailing from 22 countries.
Designer Donna Karan and Donald Trump's ex-wife, Marla Maples, are also part of the delegation.
Earlier this year, Madonna canceled three concerts on her re-Invention Tour roster that were scheduled in Israel due to security concerns.
