Madonna Defends Her Use of Swastika In Concert Shows

By Shiryn Ghermezian

Madonna defended her reoccurring use of a swastika shown in an on-stage video, part of her current MDNA world tour.

The symbol is superimposed on the forehand of French National Party leader Marine Le Pen in a video that plays overhead while the singer performs "Nobody Knows Me." Madonna said the image was meant to draw light on "the intolerance human beings have for one another," according to The Huffington Post.

Le Pen was the candidate that placed third in France's presidential election in April. Her father, Jean Marie Le Pen, founded the National Front and was found guilty of condoning war crimes after saying that the Nazi occupation of France had "not been particularly inhumane," according to The New York Times.

The video, implying that Le Pen is a fascist , then dissolved from Le Pen's image to a visual of Hitler's face. Included in the film was images of Madonna's other "socio-political enemies," according to Rolling Stones magazine. Visuals of Pope Benedict XVI, Sarah Palin and President Hu Jintao were also splattered across the screen, though Le Pen was the only one singled out with the controversial Nazi symbol.

Madonna's MDNA tour kicked off in Tel Aviv on May 31 and has been using the video featuring a swastika in every performance. Le Pen became aware of the montage from the start of the tour and when Madonna played it once again while performing in the Le Stade de France, the French leader decided to take action.

A spokesperson for the National Front announced that they plan to sue the "Material Girl" singer, accusing her of insulting Ms. Le Pen "to gain publicity."

Madonna has not changed the video and has continued her tour with the same visuals while she performs on stage.

Also this month, the singer refused to cut out the use of guns in her performance that happened days after the theatre shooting in Aurora, Col. While performing in Scotland, which has a ban against guns on stage, the singer waved fake pistols and AK-47s, according to The Huffington Post.