Britney Spears rocks Israel €“ but did she also snub the Prime Minister?

Described as bringing 'chaos' to Israel by the famed entertainment outlet Variety, Britney Spears has made her first visit to the country, culminating in a concert in Tel Aviv last night.

The pop star made her way through a scrum of bewildered onlookers, fans, reporters and security on Sunday after arriving in Israel and heading straight for the Western Wall, the holiest site in the world for Jews.

Meanwhile, there was speculation in the Israeli media that she had cancelled a planned meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though some reports said that the meeting was never confirmed.

The Times of Israel quoted reports saying that the 35-year-old singer had failed to show up at a dinner with Netanyahu and pediatric cancer patients.

And there was even a claim that her arrival in Israel had caused the Labor party to postpone its leadership contest.

Spears performed last night at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, the same outdoor venue where Justin Bieber and Aerosmith recently headlined and where Radiohead is due to take the stage on July 19.

The star has spent the last few weeks performing in Asia as part of her Britney: Live in Concert tour. She tweeted her excitement at being set to perform in Israel.

Last night's concert drew mixed reviews, with the Jerusalem Post saying: 'Sauntering around the stage in a series of different colored leotards that fit her like a glove, the pop star radiated confidence, however her show was marked by lulls before a final burst of energy.'

Spears and her team of dancers put on their show in front of some 55,000 people in temperatures of around 28° Celsius (82.4°F).

Spears shot to international fame in the late 1990s with hits such as '...Baby One More Time', 'Toxic' and 'Oops!...I Did It Again,' and has sold more than 100 million albums and 100 million singles throughout her career.

News
Reflections on turning 75
Reflections on turning 75

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster shares her reflections and wisdom of the years as she turns 75.

Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?

20 April is the feast day of Zacchaeus of Jericho. We all know the account of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus. However, it turns out not to have been a sycamore tree at all. This is the story …

Global Church leaders urge renewed focus on cities as key to spreading the Gospel
Global Church leaders urge renewed focus on cities as key to spreading the Gospel

The Lausanne Movement is urging Christians around the world to see cities as one of the most important frontiers for mission, as rapid urbanisation continues to reshape where and how people live.

Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth
Pro-lifers show Parliament harsh reality of abortion up to birth

Under the changes, a woman who terminates her pregnancy by herself after the 24-week limit will not face any legal sanctions.