Pop superstar Madonna kicked off her world tour with a bang on Thursday (31May12), brandishing a rifle as she took to the stage in front of 32,000 screaming fans in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Material Girl's first gig on her Mdna trek was a sell-out, and the crowd at the Ramat Gan stadium were treated to an all-singing, all-dancing set, which was heralded by the tolling of a church bell.
Madonna appeared on set from behind a church backdrop, and broke through a screen using a rifle - which she then aimed at the audience as she burst into a rendition of her new single Girl Gone Wild, accompanied by dancers dressed as monks.
Guns were a big theme of the show as she went on to perform Revolver and Gang Bang, which were accompanied by video images of empty bullet casings falling to the ground.
There was another controversial moment after Madonna had performed her hit Give Me All Your Luvin', when the pop superstar combined her classic Express Yourself with Lady Gaga's sound-alike tune Born This Way.
Gaga was criticised for her track last year (11) after it was pointed out the tune's melody is almost identical to that of the 53 year old's classic - and Madonna addressed the controversy following her performance, declaring, "She's not me!"
During the set, Madonna sang several classic tracks, including Like A Virgin, Hung Up and Like A Prayer, and she thrilled the crowd as she performed Vogue wearing her signature conical bra.
She also spoke at length to the audience between her songs, revealing she chose the Holy Land as her debut tour stop to push for peace in the Middle East.
The singer said, "I chose to start my world tour in Israel for a very specific and important reason. You can't be a fan of mine and not want peace in the world. We all bleed the same colour."
"If we can all rise above our egos and our titles and the names of our countries and our religions, and treat everyone around us with dignity and respect, then we are on the road to peace. If there is peace here in the Middle East, there can be peace in the whole world."
Madonna's next stop on the tour is in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (03Jun12).