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Beyond the Crown: What I Learned at Miss Universe Israel 2025
Melanie Shiraz being crowned Miss Israel 2025. Photo: Simon Soong | Edgar Entertainment
This year has been nothing short of magical, and I’ve been completely full of Israeli pride wherever I go. As the titleholder of Miss Netanya 2024, I had the honor of returning to the Miss Universe Israel 2025 stage — not just to cheer, but to welcome the contestants at the opening-night gathering. The event kicked off a full week of rehearsals, excitement, and unforgettable moments leading up to the crowning of the next Miss Israel.
The sash ceremony was filled with Jewish pride, as Israeli and American Jewish women stood side by side with one mission: to represent their Israeli cities and compete for the crown.
Over the course of the week, I had the privilege of getting to know many of them personally through conversations and video interviews, and they truly inspired me. Each carried her own unique story — from Miss Be’er Sheva, a professional equestrian, to Miss Tel Aviv, who told me how much she loves meeting new people along the Tayelet, the seaside promenade in Tel Aviv. Every woman who stepped onto that stage represented her city with grace and courage.
On the final night, Miss Israel 2024, Ofir Korsia, passed the crown to the new queen, Melanie Shiraz, who represented Caesarea. Though she lives in Tel Aviv, she shared with me that Caesarea has always been her favorite place in Israel — a symbol of beauty and history — and that’s why she chose to represent it.
One of the most unforgettable moments came just after her crowning, when Miss Universe Persia stood on stage alongside Miss Israel to show her love and support. It was a powerful, moving reminder that even between countries like Iran and Israel — where politics so often divide — love and respect can still shine through.
Getting to know Melanie before the show, I was struck by her warmth, kindness, and humility as she shared her journey with me:
“Even though I grew up in the US, Israel has always felt like home. At UC Berkeley, I took on leadership roles and proudly advocated for Israel and the Jewish community on campus. After graduating with a degree in Data Science and Interdisciplinary Studies focused on Israel, the first thing I did was book a one-way ticket here. I came back because I wanted to feel that deep sense of belonging you can only find in Israel. This crown isn’t just about beauty — it’s about showing the world that Israeli women are smart, strong, bold, and full of heart. That’s what I hope to represent as Miss Israel 2025.”
She made me proud to be both Israeli and Jewish.
This journey reminded me that what’s most important is the stories we share, the friendships we build, and the deep bond between Israeli and American women who proudly represented Israel together. That unity — rooted in our shared identity and love for our homeland — is the heart of who we are as Jews and what we strive to show the world.
Ayelet Raymond is an Israeli activist and the creative force behind the @Kosher_Barbie social media persona. She also holds the title of Miss Netanya in Miss Universe Israel 2024.
The post Beyond the Crown: What I Learned at Miss Universe Israel 2025 first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Hezbollah Marks Year Since Israel Killed Veteran Leader Nasrallah
People gather at a site damaged by Israeli airstrike that killed Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a commemoration ceremony in Beirut southern suburbs, Lebanon, Nov. 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah on Saturday commemorated one year since leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israel, the opening salvo of a war that ultimately battered his once-powerful group and left swathes of Lebanon in ruins.
A string of Israeli bunker-busting bombs on a Hezbollah complex in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed Nasrallah, who had led the powerful Shi’ite religious, political and military group for more than 30 years.
His heir apparent Hashem Safieddine was killed weeks later. Now pressure is swelling on the group to disarm – a demand Hezbollah has rejected.
Hezbollah’s secretary general, Naim Qassem, who assumed the post a month after Nasrallah’s killing, delivered a speech to mark the anniversary.
He reaffirmed that Hezbollah would not allow disarmament and warned of a fierce confrontation, describing the fight as an existential battle that the group was capable of facing.
Crowds, including Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, gathered in Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon’s south and east, to mark the day.
Tensions over the commemoration have been mounting this week, particularly after Hezbollah projected the portraits of Nasrallah and Safieddine on the towering rocks off the coast of Beirut.
The display went ahead, despite orders by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Beirut governor not to do so, angering Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah who said the cliffs should not be used for political displays.
Nasrallah became secretary general of Hezbollah in 1992 aged just 35 after his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack.
With his fiery speeches, he swiftly became the public face of a once-shadowy group founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli occupation forces.
The day after Hamas’ cross-border attack into Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah entered the fray in solidarity with its Palestinian ally by firing on Israel from southern Lebanon.
That prompted exchanges of fire for nearly a year before Israel sharply escalated by detonating explosives-rigged communication devices used by Hezbollah, pummeling the country with air strikes and sending troops into Lebanon’s south.
Israel’s air and ground campaign prevented a formal burial for Nasrallah for months. Followers have since flocked to his grave to pray.
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New Zealand Says Not Joining Push for Palestinian Statehood
The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York, Aug. 15, 2014. Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
i24 News – New Zealand will not join the push to recognize Palestinian statehood, though it remains committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Minister Winston Peters said at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday.
“With a war raging, Hamas still in place, and no clarity on next steps, we do not think that the time is now,” Peters said in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
New Zealand’s position represents a departure from the line adopted by Australia, Britain and Canada, who joined in a recognition of Palestinian statehood on Sunday.
Israel and the US administration of President Donald Trump have said such unilateral moves will only serve to undermine the prospects of a peaceful end to the conflict and achieve nothing for the Palestinians. Both boycotted the New York event.
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Trump: Intense ‘Regional’ Talks on Ending Gaza War Ongoing, Israel and Hamas Briefed
US President Donald Trump points a finger as he delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 31, 2025. Photo: Kent Nishimura via Reuters Connect
i24 News – US President Donald Trump stated on Friday in a message posted to his Truth Social network that talks, ongoing for four days, concerning ending the Gaza war were productive.
“I am pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza. Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement,” the post read.
“All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. There is more Goodwill and Enthusiasm for getting a Deal done, after so many decades, than I have ever seen before. Everyone is excited to put this period of Death and Darkness behind them. It is an Honor to be a part of this Negotiation. We must get the Hostages back, and get a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE!”