Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Miss Israel

New York correspondent Luke Tress joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing podcast. (ToI/AP)
June 11, 2026, 3:27 pm
Daily Briefing June 11 – Inside Iran-linked Diaspora terror attacks: A suspect speaks
NY correspondent Luke Tress brings us new details on Iranian proxies operating in the Jewish Diaspora, patterns of support among anti-Israel groups, and an investigation into the Miss Israel beauty contest
By Jessica Steinberg and Luke Tress
Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz competes in the national costume competition at the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, November 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
June 7, 2026, 6:10 am
Miss Israel says this year’s contest will be bogus, sparking break with organizers
US-based staff plans to forgo full-on pageant, pick Miss Universe entrant without usual judge-based process, video shows; organization denies wrongdoing, renounces titleholder
By Luke Tress
Israel’s contestant in the Miss Universe pageant, Melanie Shiraz (on the right side of these frames), seen meeting Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, by chance in a coffee shop in NYC, May 6, 2026. (Screenshots/Melanie Shiraz via Instagram)
May 7, 2026, 5:38 pm
Miss Israel says Mamdani’s wife shunned her at NYC café
Melanie Shiraz says Rama Duwaji dismissed her after finding out she’s Israeli during chance meeting, posts clip of interaction
By ToI Staff
Screen capture from video of contestants for the Miss Israel contest, 2021. (YouTube. Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
November 13, 2022, 12:48 pm
Miss Israel beauty pageant canceled after more than 70 years
Though some past queens agree the contest had its merits and launched many into notable careers, opinions are divided on whether event is relevant in current times
By ToI Staff
Miss Universe contestants compete on stage in swimwear during the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat on December 13, 2021. (Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe)
December 14, 2021, 6:24 pm
In 2021, should Miss Universe still be a thing? Those involved weigh in
The competition, hosted this year in Eilat, was the target of vocal criticism from those who view beauty pageants as outdated, sexist and damaging to young women
By Amy Spiro
Miss Universe Iraq contestant Sarah Idan (YouTube screenshot)
December 19, 2017, 3:18 am
Miss Iraq recounts ‘death threats’ and fears for family over selfie with Israeli
Instagram photo with Adar Gandelsman caused outrage in Sarah Idan’s home country, forcing relatives to flee. Still, she tells CNN, she has no regrets
By ToI Staff
Miss Israel Adar Gandelsman (left) and Miss Iraq Sarah Idan pose for a picture at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017. (Instagram)
December 14, 2017, 12:32 pm
Miss Israel: Iraqi contestant’s family forced to flee country over joint selfie
Photo taken with Israeli, along with bikini pose, led to death threats against Sarah Idan’s relatives in Baghdad, Israeli contestant Adar Gandelsman says
By ToI Staff
Miss Lebanon Emigrant Amanda Hanna (Facebook)
August 23, 2017, 7:32 pm
Lebanese beauty queen stripped of title over Israel visit
Strict anti-Israel laws lead to Beirut denying Amanda Hanna of her Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2017 crown
By ToI Staff
Rotem Rabi brought in a bevy of online backers on her way to the Miss Israel crown. (Moshe Sasson/Courtesy of La’isha via JTA)
May 11, 2017, 12:31 pm
Miss Israel 2017, the social media-savvy beauty queen
Jerusalem model Rotem Rabi, 21, draws thousands of supporters with Instagram photos to beat competitors in online vote
By Andrew Tobin
Israeli actress Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman (Zack Snyder/Warner Bros)
May 8, 2017, 2:11 pm
‘Wonder Woman’ trailer shows off Amazon’s dreams
Gal Gadot goes back to DC Comics superhero’s origins as a child bent on warping gender roles to become a warrior
By ToI Staff
Gal Gadot appeared as a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden, on October 21, 2016. (Screenshot)
November 6, 2016, 11:55 pm
Gal Gadot expecting baby number two
Israeli star announces her pregnancy via Instagram with photo of her and husband tagged #mommyforthesecondtime
By ToI Staff
Gal Gadot as 'Wonder Woman' (YouTube screenshot)
November 4, 2016, 12:18 pm
Gal Gadot shines in second Wonder Woman trailer
Former Miss Israel stars in much-anticipated DC Comics superhero flick set to hit theaters in June
By ToI Staff
Miss Israel, 19-year-old Avigail Alfatov, will compete in the Miss Universe Pageant, due to air on December 20, 2015. (Courtesy of Alfatov)
December 11, 2015, 4:06 am
Beauty queen, fencing champ, Akim volunteer. Diplomat?
Avigail Alfatov, who will compete this month in the Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas, is a national fencing champion who dreams of being a diplomat
By Curt Schleier
FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 file photo, Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, poses for photos after she painted on a wall in Miami's Wynwood area. (photo credit: AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)
January 23, 2015, 11:13 pm
‘Miss Israel chased Greige for days’
Miss Lebanon says Doron Matalon attempted to ambush her numerous times to take joint photo
By ToI Staff
Jon Stewart on The Daily Show (Photo credit: Youtube screen capture)
January 20, 2015, 9:50 pm
Jon Stewart pokes fun at selfie scandal
Jewish comedian weighs in on Miss Israel photobomb — ‘It’s a beauty pageant!’ Stewart says. ‘They’re all enemies!’
By ToI Staff
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.