What started as an innocent selfie has now become an all-out social media uproar. Miss Universe contestant Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, shared a group photo of herself with Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, and two other contestants. Although the selfie seems harmless, it is well known that Israel and Lebanon are considered to be states at war. Both countries have expressed outrage over the photo, evoking the girls to issue responses.
Greige was incredibly apologetic in her Facebook post [1], defending herself by saying that she was trying to have a photo with Miss Japan and Miss Slovenia when Matalon jumped in and took a selfie. Miss Lebanon uploaded the same photo with Miss Israel cropped out. Matalon, on the other hand, was more disappointed in her response [2] — "It doesn't surprise me, but it still makes me sad," she said. What do you think about the controversial photo?
To all my supporters and Lebanese citizens, I would like to thank you indeed for your continuous support of Miss Lebanon at the Miss Universe contest... The truth behind the photo, since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss universe,I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss isreal, who tried several times to take a photo with me. I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media. This is what happened and I hope to have your full support in the Miss Universe contest [3]