Miss Universe Selfie Outrage: Miss Lebanon & Miss Israel Pose Together 

Things got heated for Miss Universe pageant hopefuls Miss Lebanon and Miss Israel after the duo appeared together in a selfie.

Saly Greige, Miss Lebanon, took to Facebook to explain the photo to outraged Lebanese citizens.

“To all my supporters and Lebanese citizens, I would like to thank you indeed for your continuous support of Miss Lebanon at the Miss Universe contest …The truth behind the photo: 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 wrote on Saturday. “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…this is what happened and I hope to have your full support in the Miss Universe contest.”

Miss Israel Doron Matalon took a selfie with fellow Miss Universe contestants Miss Lebanon Saly Greige, Miss Slovenia and Miss Japan on January 11, 2015 in Miami (Instagram)

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Doron Matalon, Miss Israel, was hoping the feuding nations could set aside their differences in the good spirit of the event.

“It doesn’t surprise me, but it still makes me sad. Too bad you can not put the hostility out of the game, only for three weeks of an experience of a lifetime that we can meet girls from around the world and also from the neighboring country. @salygreige_official @miss_israel @missunews @missuniverse @missuniversusa #lebanon #israel #missuniverse2014,” Doron wrote on Instagram on Sunday when she posted a news article about the photo.

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Miss Israel held a Je Suis Charlie sign with Miss France when the two posed together on Saturday.

“I am against every murder. The murder in France and the murder of Jews in the grocery store make me very sad and stressed the need for the free world to be unite and fight against radical Islamic movements @camillecerf . #jesuischarlie,” she captioned the photo.

The Miss Universe pageant airs live from Miami on Sunday, January 25 at 8/7c on NBC. Manny Pacquiao, Kristin Cavallari, William Levy, Lisa Vanderpump, and Louise Roe will judge, while Natalie Morales and Thomas Roberts are slated to co-host.

Nick Jonas – who is currently dating Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo – is the headlining performer. He’ll be joined on stage by Prince Royce during the swimsuit portion of the competition.

Paige Feigenbaum

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