TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Pop-star Madonna said Sunday she found Israel just as dangerous as New York.
Madonna arrived Wednesday night to celebrate the Jewish New Year and study Kabala (Jewish mysticism) in a hotel opposite the Dofinarium, site of one of the worst intifada attacks.
Speaking at a gala event Sunday evening Madonna attributed her hesitation to come to Israel to "so many news reports about terror attacks" and State Department travel warnings.
"I realize now that it is no more dangerous to be here than it is to be in New York," she said.
Madonna benefited from special security precautions: bodyguards surrounded her and clashed with photographers, the hotel was closed to people who were not its guests, and a police motorcade accompanied her.
Her complaint was about the paparazzi whom she claimed were "naughty."
At Sunday's gala event, an Israeli children's choir and a Palestinian sang to more than 1,000 people and Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra praised Madonna for having come to Israel.
The Tourism Ministry was hoping her visit would boost Israel's image as a tourist destination.
