Madonna has sparked controversy with her Eurovision Song Contest performance after her backing dancers displayed Iraeli and Palestinian flags was not an approved part of the act, organisers said.

The pop star, 60, defied calls from pro-Palestinian activists to cancel her gig in Tel Aviv, saying beforehand she wanted to create “a new path toward peace”.

During her performance at the final, Madonna’s backing dancers were seen wearing Israel and Palestine flags on their backs.

Eurovision has now confirmed they were not an approved part of the show and Madonna has “been made aware” the event is supposed to be “non-political”.

Eurovision said: “In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, two of Madonna’s dancers briefly displayed the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their outfits. Continue reading Eurovision warned British Queen of Pop Madonna to keep politics out of her performance