Miss Lebanon "Photobombed" by "Enemy State" in Selfie Scandal

By Cheri Cheng - 19 Jan '15 11:15AM

A single selfie is causing international uproar for the Miss Universe competition.

In the selfie, which Miss Israel, Doron Matalon posted on Instagram, Matalon can be seen posing with Miss Lebanon, Miss Slovenia and Miss Japan. The picture was posted with the caption:

"Good morning from us! Miss Japan, miss Slovenia, miss Lebanon & I @missunews @missuniverse @beautyschoolbs @belezasdouniverso @missuniversusa @miss_israel #miami #mu2014 #missisrael #loveisrael #MissIsraelUniverse #missuniversemiami"

Since the photo was posted, Miss Lebanaon, Saly Greige has received criticism for being in a picture with the nation's enemy. In Lebanon, it is illegal to have any contact with citizens from the Jewish state. Several critics, according to Lebanon's Daily Star have demanded the beauty queen be stripped of her title for "mingling with the citizen of an enemy state." Another critic stated on Lebanese TV that since Greige listed reading as one of her hobbies, she should have been aware of the history between Lebanon and Israel.

Since the controversy, Greige has commented about the picture on social media, stating that she was "photobombed."

She wrote: "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) ... 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."

Matalan acknowledged the controversy as well, writing, "Too bad you cannot 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."

Miss Universe will be aired next Sunday, Jan. 25, on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.