News Digest

Miss Lebanon in hot water after selfie ‘photobomb’ with Miss Israel

Miss Universe contestants are keen to proclaim their desire for world peace, but this year’s Miss Lebanon has declared war after claiming Miss Israel “photobombed” a group “selfie.” Miss Israel Doron Matalon (seen on the left in the above image) posted a photo of herself and Miss Lebanon Saly Greige (second from left) smiling together at pageant preparations in Miami, where the winner will be picked on January 25. The two countries are technically at war, although the border has been largely quiet since their 2006 conflict. The Lebanese risk prison if they call or travel to Israel and all Israeli products are banned in Lebanon. Saly Greige took to her Facebook page to declare that Israel’s Doron Matalon had pushed her way into a now widely-circulated photo showing the Middle Eastern beauties with Miss Japan and Miss Slovenia.

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 Israel [that tried several times to have a photo with me].

Saly Greige

Greige defended herself on the photo-sharing service Instagram on Saturday, saying Matalon had pestered her for a picture together and finally photobombed her. “I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia and myself, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in, took a selfie, and put it on her social media.” The offending photo, taken in Miami where the Miss Universe pageant is staged, appeared on Matalon’s Instagram account on January 11. Some Lebanese have demanded on social media that Greige lose her title for contacts with a citizen of the enemy state.