Madonna rejects Eurovision boycott

Pop star Madonnahas rejected calls for her to boycott this year’s Eurovision song contest in Israel, saying she will “never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda.”

Madonna issued a statement on Tuesday, ahead of her expected arrival in Tel Aviv for a performance at the event. Madonna said her “heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict.”

She says she prays for “a new path toward peace.”