Ayoub wore an oriental-inspired look, including a white tank top and white pants adorned with brown and white embellishments. Over this outfit, she wore a white robe with a long train featuring paintings of the Dome of the Rock and Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, alongside olive branches.

As a reminder, Ayoub has received considerable criticism for living in luxury towers in Dubai while representing the Palestinians, and it has now been revealed that the designer she chose is actually an Emirati designer named Navin al-Qadi, based in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz wore a yellow dress to recall the fallen hostages still held in Hamas captivity and the survivors of captivity who were held for two years. A Star of David appeared on her chest area, and red flowers were visible at the bottom of the dress as a tribute to the red anemones in the south. The dress was maxi-length and featured a scarf and a head covering.

The national costume segment takes place every year as part of the Miss Universe competition, during which representatives of different countries take the stage wearing clothing items inspired by their local traditions. This year, the segment became more explosive.

Social media reactions came quickly. "It's not enough that she represents a country that doesn't exist, she has no connection to this country and the symbols she's wearing," one social media user wrote. "That's Jerusalem anyway, it shouldn't appear on their national costume. Simply an infuriating look," another user wrote.

A reminder that Transportation Minister Miri Regev also wore a dress featuring the Dome of the Rock in the past, at the Cannes Film Festival opening during her tenure as culture minister. The dress was designed by Aviad Arik Herman.

This isn't the first time Miss Palestine Nadine Ayoub has sparked controversy since being chosen to represent the Palestinians at the world's biggest beauty pageant. Last month, Ayoub published a series of posts about the war on social media, with one of them inflating the number of Palestinian casualties and another presenting Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the Israeli children murdered in Hamas captivity, as Palestinian victims of the war.

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Members of the media raise their hands to ask U.S. Vice President JD Vance questions, in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

He said his vice presidential responsibilities stem from Trump's trust, with the role being "very dependent on the president of the United States" and his accomplishments possible "because the president trusts me and he's empowered me with a lot of responsibilities." Vance praised Trump as someone who "is such a unique person unbelievably people have no idea," noting he "really sleeps less and still has more energy than anybody that I know that's 40 years younger than he is" – "trust me I've seen it from the inside he has unbelievable energy." Trump "has unbelievable instincts" and "automatically understands when somebody is trying to get one over on him," Vance explained.

Trump privately discussed a 2028 "dream ticket" pairing Vance with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his "best friend in the administration." Vance considers this "premature," maintaining focus on current work with the belief that "if we take care of business the politics will take care of itself."

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In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread condemnation, a group of Haredi Jews accosted Christian pilgrims near the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem while repeatedly spitting. The footage has ignited a political firestorm, with leaders from across the political spectrum expressing outrage over the act.

Video: Haredi Jews accost Christian pilgrims / Use under section 27a of Israel's intellectual property law

Elisha Yered, a former spokesperson for the Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har-Melech, initially defended the incident, claiming that spitting near churches and priests is an ancient Jewish tradition."Perhaps due to Western cultural influence, we have forgotten what Christianity is. But I believe that millions of Jews who have suffered through crusades, inquisitions, blood libels, and pogroms will never forget," he wrote on Twitter. This made the crisis even worse, prompting a slew of condemnations.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter to respond to the incident, stating in English, "Israel is committed to safeguard the sacred right of worship and pilgrimage to the holy sites of all faiths. I strongly condemn any attempt to intimidate worshippers, and I am committed to taking immediate and decisive action against it."

Later, he reiterated a similar message in Hebrew. Prominent political figures in Israel expressed their shock and dismay over the spitting incident, including Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau, who said, "Such incidents do not have anything to do with Halachah [Jewish law]." He noted that in ancient times, "during the holiday of Sukkot, people prayed and offered sacrifices at the Holy Temple for the well-being of the 70 nations of the world. We will continue to pray for their well-being and honor all the nations that come to honor the holy city of Jerusalem."

A senior Israeli official stated, "If the roles were reversed, and Christians were spitting on Jews anywhere in the world, we would rightfully be outraged. Such behavior should not be tolerated here."

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also condemned the incident, saying, "I condemn the disturbing phenomenon of spitting on Christians and harming anyone because of their faith or beliefs. This behavior does not represent Jewish values. Freedom of religion and worship are fundamental values in Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Christian tourists visit our country every year to see the holy sites, and I call on all Israeli citizens to respect the traditions and faith of all those who come to Jerusalem, the holy city."

Israel is totally committed to safeguard the sacred right of worship and pilgrimage to the holy sites of all faiths.

I strongly condemn any attempt to intimidate worshippers, and I am committed to taking immediate and decisive action against it.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 3, 2023

Tourism organizers also condemned the incident, with the umbrella body saying, "We strongly condemn the violent behavior that goes against the basic values of Judaism and damages the economy of Jerusalem, which relies on tourists who visit the holy city from all corners of the world. Incoming tourism is a strategic asset for the country, and this behavior tarnishes our reputation."

Tourism Minister Haim Katz added, "Spitting on Christians is a reprehensible and disgraceful act. 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is a fundamental principle in the Torah and Judaism. Instead of being a light unto the nations, the actions of extremists like this harm Judaism, the Jewish people, and Israel's reputation. We must show zero tolerance for those who engage in such behavior."

In response to the incident, Member of Knesset Elazar Stern (Likud) proposed legislation that would classify spitting on people based on their religion as an act of violence, allowing for legal action against perpetrators.

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Leaders of the Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian churches issued a statement Monday announcing the project to restore the foundations and flooring of the church, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, entombed and resurrected.

A Greek team headed the 2016 restoration project to preserve the aedicule, a large structure inside the church housing the tomb. The upcoming second rehabilitation project will involve two Italian institutions.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is shared by multiple Christian sects under a status quo management agreement. Even perceived alterations to the status quo have resulted in arguments or violence.

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"Walking in the Lord's footsteps, really, you have feelings that cannot be explained," said the 26-year-old Armenian Orthodox cleric. "We don't see it as stone, all these are holy places for us."

The Holy Sepulchre lies in Jerusalem's Old City. A church was first built there in the 4th century under Constantine the Great, the Roman emperor who converted to Christianity.

Today, the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches share custody of the building, and tensions sometimes run high over who controls what.

Other denominations also hold services there, in languages including Latin, Arabic, Aramaic, Amharic and Ge'ez.

At night the building falls silent. Muslim families have long held the door key, because of the tensions between the Christian clergy.

In the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate nearby, His Beatitude Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, said he feels deep reverence for the church.

"For the Christian world the Holy Sepulchre is the heart of Jerusalem and the world," he said during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas on Sunday.

"Why? Because this particular place, which is the rock of the crucifixion and the rock of the tomb, or the burial site, of Jesus Christ, has been watered, and therefore blessed, by the blood of The Righteous One."

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