American pop star Demi Lovato says she's sorry if her recent trip to Israel offended anyone. 

Last week Lovato posted pictures of herself in Israel to her Instagram. She wrote at the time that she jumped at the opportunity when offered a trip given her Christian upbringing and Jewish heritage.

"When I was offered an amazing opportunity to visit the places I’d read about in the Bible growing up, I said yes," she says in her original post showing highlights from the trip. Those highlights include being baptized in the Jordan River.

"I’ve never felt such a sense of spirituality or connection to God…something I’ve been missing for a few years now. Spirituality is so important to me…to be baptized in the Jordan river – the same place Jesus was baptized – I’ve never felt more renewed in my life."

However, controversy quickly followed the post from many of her followers as well as critics of Israel's political policies. 

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I am an American singer. I was raised Christian and have Jewish ancestors. When I was offered an amazing opportunity to visit the places I’d read about in the Bible growing up, I said yes. There is something absolutely magical about Israel. I’ve never felt such a sense of spirituality or connection to God…something I’ve been missing for a few years now. Spirituality is so important to me…to be baptized in the Jordan river – the same place Jesus was baptized – I’ve never felt more renewed in my life. This trip has been so important for my well-being, my heart, and my soul. I’m grateful for the memories made and the opportunity to be able to fill the God-sized hole in my heart. Thank you for having me, Israel 💗

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on

Lovato has since turned off commenting on the trip-related posts. Most of the criticisms called her a Zionist and were critical of Israel's occupation of Palestine. 

In a since-deleted statement in an Instagram story, Lovato says she's "extremely frustrated," by the backlash she's received.

"No one told me there would be anything wrong with going or that I could possibly be offending anyone," she says.

"With that being said, I’m sorry if I hurt or offended anyone, that was not my intention. Sometimes people present you with opportunities and no one tells you the potential backlash you could face in return. This was meant to be a spiritual experience for me NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT and now I realize it hurt people and for that I’m sorry."

Israeli newspaper Ynet reports that Lovato was paid $150,000 to go on the trip and share her experience to her Instagram which has 74.4 million followers. The paper says that the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs paid for at least part of the trip with more coming from a private donor.