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Valerie Weigmann: Stop judging Miss Lebanon over selfie

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Valerie Weigmann: Stop judging Miss Lebanon over selfie
'If you lived under such a regime, would you have the temerity to violate such laws?' writes Valerie

MANILA, Philippines – Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann defended Miss Lebanon Saly Griege over the controversial selfie with Miss Israel.

Valerie commented via her Instagram account on Tuesday, January 20. (READ: Valerie Weigmann’s journey to Miss World 2014)

“If people were really motivated by a desire for peace, then they should avoid snap judgments and knee jerk reactions. Under Lebanese Law, interaction with an Israeli citizen is a criminal act. To most of us, it is a divisive, if not abhorrent law, which must be struck down. For Miss Lebanon, it is a HARSH AND PAINFUL REALITY, which she would be returning to. It is easy for us to judge her, but I ask everyone to put themselves in her shoes. If you lived under such a regime, would you have the temerity to violate such laws? I know @salygreige_official personally, she was my yellow team mate in Miss World. She is a sweet, caring person, and I believe that she may only have been trying to avoid prosecution or persecution. #stopjudging,” she says. 

In the statement, Valerie explained that Saly’s reaction was only done in line with Lebanese laws, where Israeli interaction is considered a crime.

Miss Lebanon’s Saly Griege was both attacked and defended for her reactions regarding the selfie photo Miss Israel Doron Matalon suddenly joined, after what should just been Saly, Miss Japan, and Miss Slovenia. 

The selfie was then posted on Doron’s instagram account, which stirred controversy.

Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000, but the two countries are still technically at war and their armies occasionally skirmish along the UN-designated withdrawal line.

Israel fought a bloody war against Lebanon’s Hezbollah in 2006, which killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Saly Griege represents Lebanon in Miss Universe 2015, which takes place in Miami, United States on Sunday, January 25 (Monday, January 26 in Manila). Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa represents the Philippines in the pageant.

– with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

 

More MJ Lastimosa and Miss Universe 2014 on Rappler: 

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