Stop the war! We want Madonna, Israeli fan pleads

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‘Please don't stop the music!’

That's the plea of one Israeli fan of Madonna who has set up a Facebook group calling for Israel to delay until after the diva performs here in May what some fear will be an attack on Iran.

"Bibi! No war with Iran until after Madonna's performance on May 29," the anonymous enthusiast pleads in Hebrew in the newly created group, using a popular nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

International music icon Madonna is set to kick off her hotly anticipated 2012 world tour in Israel in May, with local media reporting she will arrive weeks before the performance so she can participate in final rehearsals.

But while Israeli fans gear up to purchase tickets for the performance, speculation is building about a possible Israeli attack against Iran's nuclear programme, which the Jewish state believes masks a weapons drive.

Tehran denies the charges, but reports have said Israel believes Iran could reach the point of obtaining nuclear weapons this autumn, and is considering a military strike in spring or summer to prevent such a capability.