The online outrage has not led to physical harm in 2021, but politicizing beauty pageants had life-threatening consequences for Arab participants in the past.
Outrage on social media addressed the oblivion necessary to present Palestinian heritage as Israeli culture. The depicted scenes followed the tour's title, "A day in the life of a Bedouin," with the beauty contestants wearing traditional Palestinian dresses and making sweets. However, after having posted photos and videos by using the hashtag #visitisrael, an uproar backlashed on social media.
"Coming here has just been such a wholesome experience," Miss Morocco, Kawtar Benhalima, told The Times of Israel. "Because of the historical side of things, because I'm here experiencing Miss Universe, because I am learning every day." "This is an opportunity that millions of women dream of having to go on the world stage and represent their people, their nation and culture - not governments, not politics and definitely not political agendas." Follow-up controversiesįollowing the quarantine in Jerusalem, the contestants used several stops on their way to the southern city of Eilat for taking photos. Responding to Mandela's call, 2017's Miss Universe Iraq, Sarah Idan, posted on Twitter, "All I can say is how dare you? How dare you as a man try to tell an organization for women, and women empowerment what to do," she said. Mandla Mandela - the grandson of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president - was among several groups that called for a boycott of the pageant in Israel due to the "occupation and cruel treatment of Palestinians at the hands of apartheid Israel regime." While South Africa did not change its entrant in the beauty pageant, the government withdrew its support for 24-year-old Lalela Mswane, who will participate despite calls to boycott the event. "īut last week, Star GS Hellas said Plastira was not Greece's entry in Miss Universe 2021 and "never had the blessing to represent our country." The organization added that Sofia Arapogianni was "the official Miss Universe Greece for 2021." Plastira said in October she "could not go up on the stage, acting like nothing is happening when people are fighting for their lives. But some observers have said a spat between Malaysia and Israel earlier this year, which included banning Israeli athletes from participating in a squash competition in Malaysia, also played a role in the country's decision to sit out the 2021 competition.Ĭalls to boycott Miss Universe in protest of Israeli government policies also gained attention around the world - even in Greece, which saw a row between Rafaela Plastira, the winner of Miss World Greece 2019, and Star GS Hellas, the organization that selects the country's Miss Universe participant. Pandemic restrictions meant the country did not hold a national beauty pageant to determine a Miss Universe contestant. Malaysia, a long-time Miss Universe participant, won't be at the 2021 event. Miss Universe contestants tour David Tower in Jerusalem's Old City ahead of the annual beauty pageant Image: Nir Elias/REUTERS But the country canceled its contest to declare a national beauty queen at the last minute due to "time restrictions," and COVID-19 concerns, according to a statement on its official website. The United Arab Emirates - which also normalized ties with Israel in 2020 - had planned for its debut at the global beauty pageant in Eilat. Miss Universe veteran Steve Harvey will host this Sunday's show again, here with Sofia Aragon, Miss Mexico 2019 Image: Miss Universe Organization/ZUMA Wire/imago images Run-up controversiesĭespite these nations' participation, assurances from organizers that the Miss Universe contest transcends international divisions to highlight social and global issues, several political controversies have distracted audiences from the event. Morocco is sending its winner, Kawtar Benhalima, for the first time since 1978 after normalizing ties with Israel in 2020. But amid repeated calls to boycott the event due to Israeli settlement policy, this year's pageant has taken on a decidedly political dimension.Īmong the arrivals is 25-year-old student Manar Nadeem Deyani from Bahrain - which normalized relations with Israel last year. The event to crown the successor of Andrea Maza from Mexico is a three-hour live show that includes contestants giving personal statements as well as modeling in swimsuits and evening gowns. The jury will face a tough decision on Sunday in Israel's most southern city Eilat when it's called on to decide the winner of the 70th "Miss Universe" beauty pageant.
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