Hollywood News Now: Madonna comes under fire for brandishing AK47 as she kicks off MDNA tour in Israel

PUBLISHED: 05:14 EST, 2 June 2012 | UPDATED: 05:14 EST, 2 June 2012

Madonna has been criticised for glamourising guns as she kicked off her MDNA world tour in Israel.

The singer performed characteristically controversial dance routines during which she brandished a machine gun and handgun, and as she sang her hit Revolver she wielded an AK-47.

Bizarrely, the superstar explained that she deliberately chose Israel as the starting point for her tour to send a message about 'world peace' just minutes beforehand.

She said: 'If there is peace here in the Middle East, there can be peace in the whole world.'

Scroll down to get a first look at the tour

Inappropriate: Madonna has been criticised for brandishing guns during her dance routines at the start of her MDNA world tour in Israel

Madonna then launched into a series of dance routines holding the firearms.

The move has naturally been judged inappropriate considering that violence between the Jewish state and Palestinians is an immediate concern.

During her song Gang Bang Madonna wrestled a group of armed men before 'shooting' them.

Audience members and anti-gun groups have spoken out against the star.

Bizarre: Just minutes before launching into her performance Madonna said 'If there is peace here in the Middle East, there can be peace in the whole world'

A spokeswoman for Mothers Against Guns told the Daily Star: 'There will be parents taking their kids along to her concerts who won't feel comfortable with the fact that she's desensitising them to deadly weapons.'

Chrissie Hall of the gun crime victims group Infer Trust told the paper: 'People who have been injured or bereved would find that extremely distasteful and distressing.'

According to the Mirror, one fan said: 'Given the problems this seemed tasteless and designed to create controversy.'

Reaction: Both fans and anti-gun groups have spoken out against the superstar's judgement

'It was pretty sick and plenty of the audience were not impressed with the guns.'

The 35,000-seat Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv was sold out as Madonna commenced her her 80 nation MDNA world tour on Thursday.

Showing off her super toned arms in black rock chick attire, and her cheeky side in a red and white cheerleader ensemble, the Queen of Pop certainly put on a show.

Rock chick: Madonna kicked off her MDNA tour in Tel Aviv, Israel and even played guitar

She's a flasher! Madonna revealed thick red hot pants underneath her cheerleader outfit

The mother-of-four spoke to the audience between sets and revealed why she chose the Israeli city to launch her tour.

She 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,Â we all bleed the same colour,' she said as the crowd cheered wildly.

'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.

What a cheek! Madonna gave her fans an eyeful in the red and white outfit

Not alone: The singer was joined by various backing dancers who wore similar costumes to her

She continued: 'If there is peace here in the Middle East, there can be peace in the whole world.'

Madonna reportedly donated 580 tickets to her show to members of both the Israeli and Palestinian peace camps, but not everyone accepted the generous gift.

The concert kicked off with guts and guns being shown on the big screen inter-cut with Catholic imagery before the star burst on stage.

The professional: Madge changed from an all American girl cheerleader outfit to a black ensemble

Giving all her love: The US singer performed an energetic routine with her backing dancers at the ready

With church bells ringing and bare chested monks waltzing in front of a huge red cross - this was the officially the church of Madonna.

The mix of a melody with a Hebrew prayer built up the anticipation as Madge emerged on stage in a confessional, breaking through its glass window using a rifle, which she then aimed at the audience.

She wore a skin-tight black outfit to sing her first song Girl Gone Wild.

Madonna was then joined onstage by her 11-year-old son Rocco, who followed in his mother's footsteps when it came to outfit changes.

Red and white: The queen of pop showed no signs of slowing down as she worked it on stage

Blonde bombshell: Some burly men managed to get front row seats at the concert and one kept cool in a vest

The youngster wore an all black outfit with bright red braces as he danced with Madonna and then changed into a blue shiny vest and large headphones as he showed off his moves centre stage.

The fans enjoyed the grand opening and one eager person tweeted: 'Bow To The Queen Madonna!! #MDNA TEL AVIV!â€ Bow To The Queen Madonna.'

With guns featuring heavily in the next two songs, Revolver, and Gang Bang, the dancers and the Material Girl singer repeatedly fired guns into the audience.

After the dark introduction the tone switches up as Madge whips off her dark clothing to change into a cheerleader outfit with her iconic cone shaped bra making its first appearance as she performs vogue.

That's familiar: Madonna updated her iconic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bustier for the MDNA tour

The church of Madonna: Topless dancers dressed as monks performed at the sold out Ramat Gan stadium

Showgirl: The mother-of-four performed some high kicks while playing electric guitar in very high heeled boot

Madonna, who is dedicated to Kabbalah, put on a show that the large majority of her fans seemed to be ecstatic about.

Israeli fan Carmit Zindani, 32, beamed: 'There is simply nothing bigger than Madonna starting her world tour here in the Holy Land. She is one of us.'

Another follower said on Twitter: 'The true and only Queen Madonna ruled Tel Aviv, amazing show!'

That's my boy! Madonna was joined onstage by her 11-year-old son Rocco whose father is director Guy Ritchie

However, not everyone was impressed with her arrival in Israel as some decided to voice their protest against the queen of pop's visit in an ultra-Orthodox journal.

According to ynetnews.com, the Haredi journal hit out at her show describing it as 'disgraceful.'

The publication went on to say that the residents of northern Galilee and Tiberius were 'shaken and disgusted' after realising that Madonna intended to visit the holy cities in northern Israel.

The singer, who is a well-known follower of Kabbalah, was not referred to by name in the article, but was instead call the 'famous gentile singer.'

Like mother, like son! Rocco also had several outfit changes including a monk's outfit and large headphones

Madonna is also said to be buying an apartment in the district of Safed which has caused further 'pain and rage within the god-fearing community.'

The journal described the star's intentions as a 'Kabbalah sponsored gimmick,' and added that 'the non-Jews abuse their faith in a ridiculous cult, turning the graves of the righteous into a trendy and touristy place.'

The epic show marks the start of her ninth world tour and her first since her Sticky And Sweet set in 2008.

The church of Madge: Madonna kicked off her show with the backdrop of a red cross

From Israel, she will head to Abu Dhabi and then to Europe and the Americas before finishing in Australia in early 2013, where she has not performed in more than 20 years.

'Madonna changes outfits seven or eight times and the dancers change 10 to 15 times, depending on the dancer,' stylist Arianne Phillips told the WWD website.

She has signed up a list of designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Jeremy Scott, Alexander Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, Fausto Puglisi and J Brand.

She has also planned to wear Prada and Miu Miu shoes, as well as footwear and lingerie from her own Truth or Dare line.