The glittering world of international beauty pageants has been plunged into a serious diplomatic crisis following explosive comments from Israel's Miss Universe contestant about her Palestinian counterpart.
Eden Ben Zaken, representing Israel, has publicly demanded the immediate expulsion of Salsabil Ataweel, who is competing as Miss Palestine, from the prestigious competition currently underway in El Salvador.
Social Media Storm Erupts
The controversy ignited when Ben Zaken took to social media platform Instagram to make startling allegations against Ataweel. The Israeli delegate claimed her Palestinian counterpart had expressed support for Hamas militants and their devastating October 7th attacks on Israel.
"She supports Hamas and what they did on October 7," Ben Zaken declared in her post, which quickly went viral across social media platforms. "She should not be allowed to participate and represent Palestine in a beauty pageant that seeks to empower women."
Organisers Face Mounting Pressure
The Miss Universe Organisation now finds itself at the centre of an international incident, facing intense pressure from multiple sides. While officials have yet to make any formal statement regarding Ataweel's alleged comments or her continued participation, the situation represents one of the most politically charged controversies in the pageant's history.
Beauty contests have increasingly become platforms for geopolitical statements in recent years, but this confrontation marks one of the most direct and inflammatory exchanges between national representatives.
Historical Context of Participation
The participation of both Israeli and Palestinian delegates in international pageants has long been a sensitive issue. Miss Universe has previously navigated similar tensions, including in 2015 when the competition was held in Miami and included both representatives.
However, the current conflict, sparked by Hamas's October 7th attacks that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and the capture of 251 hostages, has dramatically heightened tensions. Israel's subsequent military response in Gaza has reportedly led to over 37,000 Palestinian fatalities according to local health officials.
Broader Implications for International Events
This incident raises significant questions about how international cultural and sporting events navigate deeply entrenched political conflicts. The Miss Universe pageant, which promotes itself as celebrating female empowerment and global unity, now faces the challenging task of balancing these ideals with complex geopolitical realities.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the pageant organisers and their response to what has become more than just a beauty competition, but a mirror reflecting one of the world's most intractable conflicts.
