A selfie causes a stir
Miss Universe pageant full of Mideast drama
Explosive confrontations are nothing new for Israel and Lebanon, but the latest dispute between the longtime foes is perhaps the first to have been caused by an alleged photo-bomb.
A seemingly innocuous selfie at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami has sparked criticism in Lebanon because it featured a smiling Miss Lebanon alongside Miss Israel. The Israeli beauty queen, Doron Matalon, posted a picture of herself with colleagues from Japan, Slovenia and Lebanon on her Instagram account. The result? A formal Lebanese investigation.
Lebanese Tourism Minister Michel Pharon told the Associated Press that "if there was bad intentions" from Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, measures could be taken against her. In her defense, Greige says she was photo-bombed.
Matalon said the joint photo was genuine and she was saddened that Greige was under fire at home. "We need to remember that we represent the country and the people, not the government and not the political issues," she told NBC News.
In a statement, the Miss Universe Organization called the controversy unfortunate.
Associated Press