Greek contestant withdraws from Miss Universe hosted by Israeli Occupation

Palestine

Published: 2021-11-24 10:50

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 18:36


Editor: Dana Sharayri

Greek contestant withdraws from Miss Universe hosted by Israeli Occupation
Greek contestant withdraws from Miss Universe hosted by Israeli Occupation

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira withdrew from Miss Universe 2021 contest in protest against holding it in the Israeli Occupation.

Plastira wrote on Instagram “It's so beautiful to see how much love and support and understanding I get from all of you.

“Palestine you are not only in my mind every day but you have the most beautiful place in my heart forever.”

She continued by saying that Miss Universe was her childhood dream, but “I really don’t care. I CARE about my people!”

“Humanity ABOVE Beauty Pageants!”

She lastly wrote “it's time to make our voices louder than ever!!”

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of the Israeli Occupation welcomed Plastira’s decision to withdraw from the Miss Universe pageant.

The campaign wrote on Twitter “Palestinians salute Greek contestant Rafaele Plastira for withdrawing from Miss Universe hosted by apartheid Israel.”

Many social media users supported her decision.

A social media user wrote on Instagram “she's the real miss universe!”

“Thank you for standing up for human rights! That is beautiful!” another user said.

A social media user wrote on Twitter “She won already, in our opinion. Fantastic!”

Earlier this month, Lalela Mswane, Miss South Africa, decided to represent her country at Miss Universe 2021 in Israeli Occupation.

In turn, the South African government announced its decision to withdraw its support and to disassociate itself from Mswane as she did not boycott the pageant although her country’s government asked her to do so.

“The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented and the government, as the legitimate representative of the people of South Africa, cannot in good conscience associate itself with such,” the government said in a statement.