For the first time in Miss Universe history, a Palestinian contestant will compete in the prestigious international beauty pageant this November, setting up a symbolic meeting with an Israeli competitor on the global stage.
Nadeen Ayoub, 27, will represent Palestine as the competition’s inaugural Miss Palestine, a title she earned in 2022. The accomplished model and advocate has pledged to bring “the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced” to the contest, which will feature representatives from 130 countries and territories.
In a powerful Instagram statement, Ayoub declared her mission: “Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title but with a truth. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see. We are more than our suffering – we are resilience, hope and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.”
Ayoub, who divides her time between Dubai and Ramallah in the West Bank, brings significant pageant experience to the competition. She previously placed third in the 2022 Miss Earth beauty pageant in the Philippines. Speaking to The National newspaper, she noted the significance of her participation: “There hasn’t been another Miss Palestine since 2022, due to the genocide.”
Israel will likely field its own contestant, continuing a tradition dating back to 1952. In July, entrepreneur Melanie Shiraz claimed the Miss Israel crown at a Miami competition. Shiraz expressed her own vision for representation: “I want to show people, both in and outside of Israel, that this title can be a force for connection, for understanding and for positive change. It’s about far more than beauty – it’s about making our people proud by standing for something that matters.”
The Miss Universe Organisation welcomed Ayoub’s participation, stating: “The Miss Universe Organisation proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange and the empowerment of women. Ms Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform.”
Miss Universe ranks among the world’s four major beauty pageant brands, alongside Miss Earth, Miss World and Miss International. The Thai JKN Global group has owned the organization since 2022, having acquired it from Donald Trump’s ownership that lasted until 2015.
Ceasefire Developments
The pageant announcement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. On Monday, Hamas indicated acceptance of a new Arab mediator proposal for a Gaza Strip ceasefire and hostage exchange, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations in Gaza City.
The Egyptian and Qatari-mediated proposal outlines a 60-day fighting pause and the release of approximately half of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages – 20 believed to be alive – in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners.
Israel has announced intentions to reoccupy Gaza City and other densely populated areas following last month’s breakdown in ceasefire negotiations, raising concerns about worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which experts warn is approaching famine.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Monday that five additional people, including two children, died from malnutrition-related causes. The ministry’s statistics show at least 112 children have died from malnutrition since the conflict began, with 151 adults dying from similar causes since tracking began in June.
Amnesty International has accused Israel of conducting “a deliberate campaign of starvation,” allegations Israel rejects while asserting it permits adequate food supplies and criticizing U.N. distribution failures.
U.N. agencies cite Israeli restrictions and territorial lawlessness as delivery obstacles, noting that Israel now controls approximately three-quarters of Gaza. The U.N. World Food Program reported that partner organizations produced 380,000 daily meals last week across north and south Gaza – significantly fewer than the over one million daily meals produced in April.
