A single glance, captured on camera during the Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, has unleashed a torrent of hatred against Miss Israel, Melanie Shiraz. Within hours of a short video circulating online, she found herself the target of horrific threats, ranging from death wishes to explicit acts of violence.
The video appeared to show Shiraz glaring at Miss Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub, on stage. But Shiraz insists the footage is misleading, potentially edited and cropped to create a false narrative. She believes the camera angle and selective editing distorted the moment, making it seem far more confrontational than it was.
The online response was immediate and brutal. Shiraz described receiving messages wishing for her rape and death, filled with antisemitic slurs and disturbing references to recent tragedies. The vitriol was so intense, she initially suspected the messages were generated by artificial intelligence, before realizing they were tragically real.
Shiraz had hoped for a different outcome, envisioning a moment of connection with Miss Palestine, a symbol of potential peace. She dreamed of sharing photos and demonstrating that representatives from both nations could coexist harmoniously on an international stage. That hope was quickly shattered.
Before entering the world of pageantry, Shiraz built a successful career in Israel’s tech sector, even founding her own startup. Her background includes studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA, demonstrating a sharp intellect and entrepreneurial spirit.
Driven by a growing passion for advocacy, particularly within the Jewish community and for Israel, Shiraz saw the Miss Universe competition as a unique platform. She believed it could offer a human face to a nation often viewed solely through a political lens, a chance to foster understanding and break down barriers.
Adding to the complexity, Shiraz noted that Miss Palestine had posted several photos from the event featuring her, seemingly highlighting unflattering angles. When asked to remove them, only a few were taken down, fueling Shiraz’s suspicion of a deliberate attempt to portray her negatively.
During the competition, Shiraz observed a cameraman consistently focused on Miss Palestine and, by extension, herself. She felt there was a clear communication between the cameraman and Miss Palestine, raising concerns about a coordinated effort to capture her in a specific light.
Despite the overwhelming negativity and the deeply personal attacks, Shiraz remains resolute. She acknowledges the challenges of being Jewish and Israeli in today’s world, but views the hatred as a reinforcement of the importance of her work and her commitment to representing her country.
Shiraz is determined to channel this experience into a life dedicated to advocacy, hoping to use her voice to promote understanding and support for Israel and other causes she believes in. She understands that changing hearts and minds is a difficult task, but refuses to be deterred from putting her best foot forward.
The 74th Miss Universe competition continues, with the final event scheduled to take place, but for Shiraz, the true competition has already begun – a battle against prejudice and a fight for a more tolerant world.
