Madonna may face lawsuit in France over Nazi symbol

Madonna used the Nazi swastika in depiction of party leader Marine Le Pen during a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel.

MOSCOW: France's National Front party has threatened to sue American pop diva Madonna over the use of Nazi swastika in depiction of party leader Marine Le Pen.

Madonna kicked off her MDNA Tour in Israel's Tel Aviv last Thursday to promote her new album as well as peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

An image of Le Pen with a swastika on her forehead appeared on a giant screen during the concert, France 3 television reported.

Officials from the National Front, which has frequently been linked with anti-Semitism and racism but won a fifth of the popular vote during the first round of presidential elections in April, said Madonna had offended all of its members and supporters.

Le Pen, who has toned down the party's extremist views since taking over the leadership from her notorious father last year, commented on Madonna's provocative stunt by saying: "We understand how old singers who need to get people talking about them go to such extremes."

Her deputy, Louis Aliot, was more blunt, stating that the party will look into the possibility of filing a law suit against Madonna if she repeats her stunt during a concert in France.

Madonna, who turns 54 in August, will stage a concert at the Stade de France in Paris July 14 when France celebrates Bastille Day, which marks the end of the French monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution.