Following viral accusations of directing a hostile glance toward "Miss Palestine" during last week's Miss Universe event in Thailand, Miss Israel has been flooded with death threats, according to The New York Post. The wave of "unleashed hate" began after footage allegedly capturing Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz, 27, shooting a contemptuous look at "Miss Palestine" Nadeen Ayoub, 27, spread across social media. "It's not only death threats, but sexual assault threats," Shiraz, a former UC Berkeley campus advocate, told The New York Post from Thailand on Friday. Throughout the past week, the Jewish contestant has confronted aggressive demonstrators while receiving hateful messages, including "Hitler should have finished the job."
"It's very isolating. I experience a level of hatred – in magnitude and depth – that no one will experience," Shiraz stated. "Having extra security is not a normal experience."
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The disputed clips shared on Ayoub's social media account contained deceptive editing, Shiraz maintains, stating that the material was "sensationalizing, intentionally misleading, edited, or incomplete content" – forcing her to arrange additional security for the Nov. 21 competition. Alternative video perspectives show Miss Israel positioning herself significantly behind Miss Palestine, making it physically impossible for her to direct a lateral glance at her Middle Eastern rival. She explained she observed a photographer focusing on both women during the pre-pageant ceremony. "I realized that he was just angling towards her – and therefore me, because I was right behind her."
The questionable clips appeared on Ayoub's social media, featuring Sia's "Unstoppable," with celebrities including Bella Hadid amplifying the video by reposting the manipulated material from Ayoub's account. The "clipped" images were weaponized with "the aim to make me look bad and create a narrative of jealousy," Shiraz stated to The New York Post.
Supporters defended their American-born beauty queen, with former Netanyahu spokesperson Eylon Levy declaring to The New York Post: "The footage is not real – it's doctored," noting the contestants "aren't even standing next to each other." The material was "stitched together to make Israel look bad" and manufactured "fake outrage," Levy argued. "Millions of people lapped it up because they wanted it to be true."
Shriaz maintains her resolve despite the harassment. "That's why I'm doing this – it's the reality of being a Jewish person on this planet today. It's unjust," she said.
