Most criticized selfie that causes political controversy
Selfies have become a very popular concept over the past few years, and when combined with social media it can either make you popular or it can get you into trouble.
This week’s most popular selfie has been taken by Miss Lebanon Saly Greige, of the Miss Universe contest, and was immediately criticized internationally.
Shortly after the photo was uploaded to the Internet, a Lebanese TV station, Al Jadeed, deemed its contents to be political betrayal.
In the photo you can clearly see four girls smiling at the camera, but from a political point of view you can see Israel and Lebanon together, and this is contrary to all of Lebanon’s morals. Since the beginning, Israel and Lebanon have been great enemies. And although there has been no military action between the two countries since 2006, Lebanese people are not allowed to travel to Israel and all Israeli products have been banned.
That’s why this kind of publicity can get Greige into trouble back home and even get her kicked out of the contest. In her defense, she wrote a message of explanation on her Facebook page: “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) … 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.”
In addition Miss Universe Organisation reply: “It is unfortunate to know a photo of four smiling women from different parts of the world, working together at an event, could be misconstrued as anything other than what it is: a celebration of universal friendship.”
Despite the trouble the competition is still scheduled to take place in Miami at the end of the month.
