American pop icon Madonna sparked a media frenzy when the Kabbalah follower paid a visit to the Western Wall, Judaism's top pilgrimage site in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Wearing high heels, blue jeans and a black jacket, the music diva was accompanied by several bodyguards and followed by dozens of photographers during her visit to the wall late on Sunday.

The 51-year-old landed in Israel on Sunday aboard a private jet and is due to give two concerts in Tel Aviv as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour.

During her visit, the singer will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, his office said, and opposition leader Tzipi Livni.

A fervent practitioner of Kabbalah, Madonna is also due to attend a symposium on the study of Jewish mystic discipline along with fellow Kabbalists, US actress Demi Moore and her husband and fellow actor Ashton Kutcher, local Israeli media said.

Madonna has previously visited Israel in 2004 and 2007.

Raised a Roman Catholic, in 1997 Madonna came into contact with a Los Angeles-based centre that teaches an eclectic mix of Orthodox Jewish tradition and positive thinking aimed at spiritual well-being.

In 2004 Madonna took the Hebrew name Esther but has not converted to Judaism. From the point of view of Orthodox Jews, her stuying the Kabbalah is sacrilege as they consider it should be reserved for married men over 40 who have poured over Talmudic texts for years.

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