Captions:
Israeli and Palestinian hopefuls have been taking part in a beauty pageant meant to bridge the Middle East divide.
It is the second year the Miss Seamline contest has taken place, but the first time with Palestinian contestants. All eight last year dropped out after receiving death threats from militant organisations.
“Of course I entered the contest hoping to be crowned the winner,” said one Palestinian contestant. “What I won tonight was that our [Jewish] neighbours have become our friends,” said a fellow hopeful.
Palestinian Shira Marie Farah, 17, was declared the winner following the parade of evening dresses and swimsuits.
Despite the themes of peace and harmony, critics of the contest pointed out that it was being held in Gilo, on Israeli-occupied land in East Jerusalem.
Like Anoush (see Page 5) the other two Palestinian contestants were from the Arab Christian community, which does not impose such strict dress codes for women as Muslims – or religious Jews.
Here’s what I’m thinking as I madly slap my forehead: when the Nazis invaded and occupied Poland did they all get together and put on a fashion show in one of the concentration camps? In short, what the hell is wrong with some people?!
Fashion can do wonders :re:
Recently also David Barenboim came to Jerusalem and had with his Ochestra a Joint concert with Paletinain artists in Ramallah. Ofcourse thats on a higher level but still I have my reservations on these ” Two cultures meet” projects when related to the Israeli- palestianian issue.
An excellent article to read upon this would be one written by Nicholas rowe: http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=1419&ed=106, it was published in this week in Palestinian issue of this month. It says much about the issue and then a little bit more…
Promises, thanks for the article, I’ll give it a read for sure.
First, well done on the new theme. Sorry I haven’t seen it earlier as I follow mostly through RSS.
As for the above topic, I wonder if you have seen other pictures on the story. Have a look at this one in my blog (http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2005/09/22/miss-seamiline-beauty-queen/).