JERUSALEM (AP) - Sarah Idan, Iraq's 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant, is visiting Israel this week, a trip that has enraged people back home.
Idan was criticized and received death threats after taking a selfie with Israeli contestant Adal Gandelsman during last November's competition. She arrived in Israel this week and reunited with Gandelsman during a visit organized by the American Jewish Committee to "talk about peace."
Miss Iraq, who currently resides in the U.S., received the title in 2017 after the original winner was disqualified for being married. Her appearance in Israel drew harsh criticism from Iraqis on social media. Iraq and Israel don't have diplomatic relations.
Despite criticism, Idan says she isn't afraid, and that she visited Israel "because I want peace for everyone, for Israelis, for Palestinians."
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(AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner). Sarah Idan, Iraq's 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant, center, speaks with other visitors during a visit to the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or Yehuda, Israel, Thursday, June 14, 2018. Idan is visiting Is...
(Sarah Idan via AP). In this photo provided by Sarah Idan, shot in Las Vegas on Nov. 14, 2017, shows selfie Idan made with Miss Israel Adar Gandelsman during 2017 Miss Universe peasant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sarah Idan, Iraq’s 2017 Miss Universe beauty ...
(AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner). Sarah Idan, Iraq's 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant, poses with an exhibit showing 1947 Miss Baghdad Renee Dangoor, during a visit to the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or Yehuda, Israel, Thursday, June 1...
(AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner). Sarah Idan, Iraq's 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant, center, speaks with other visitors during a visit to the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or Yehuda, Israel, Thursday, June 14, 2018. Idan is visiting Is...
(AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner). Sarah Idan, Iraq's 2017 Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant, shows her selfie during a visit to the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center in Or Yehuda, Israel, Thursday, June 14, 2018. Idan is visiting Israel this week, a ...