Miss Israel defended herself against comments made by Miss Lebanon over what the Internet is calling the "Miss Universe Selfie Scandal" which has caused a global stir.

Doron Matalon, Israel's Miss Universe representative, has denied reports that she photobombed Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige. The photograph showed Miss Slovenia, Miss Japan and Miss Lebanon and Miss Israel smiling at a camera that the latter was holding.

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The photo, which has since been deleted from Matalon's account had a caption which read: "Good morning from us! Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, Miss Lebanon & I".

Although the photo was just an innocent snap, it has caused a backlash since Lebanon and Israel are still technically at war.

People from Lebanon demanded that Greige should lose her title for posing with Matalon in a photo. Greige later released a statement saying she has been trying her best to avoid Matalon. Matalon reportedly ambushed her when she was taking a photo with Miss Slovenia's Urska Bracko and Miss Japan's Keiko Tsuji.

Geige has posted the same photo on her Instagram account but Matalon was not in the picture. She said in a statement accompanied with the photo that since she started to participate in the pageant, she was already cautious of avoiding Miss Israel who has tried to take a photo with her numerous times.

Matalon has then responded to the claims of Greige, saying they should see past the historical animosity of their countries. Matalon said that it does not surprise her but it definitely made her 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 neighbouring country," Miss Israel said in a written statement. 

In an interview with NBC Today, Miss Israel said she still hopes for a change and for peace between the two countries and not just between her and Lebanon's contestant because they represent the people and the country and not the government and their political issues.

TagsMiss Universe, selfie scandal, miss israel, miss lebanon, Doron Matalon, Saly Greige