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Greek Contestant Withdraws from Miss Universe Pageant Hosted in Israel


Wed 24 Nov 2021 | 12:35 PM
Omnia Ahmed

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira withdrew from the Miss Universe pageant set to be held in Israel, saying that her heart goes to all the people fighting for their lives in Israel and Palestine.

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira took it to her Instagram post to announce to her followers that she is not going to participate in the pageant, noting that the hosting country is a reason for her decision.

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira

"I will not be attending 'Miss Universe' this year. The reason for that is the country," Plastira said. "I can’t go up that stage and act like nothing is happening when people are fighting for their lives out there."

"And trust me I will make all of you beautiful people proud. I really want to thank all the pageantry fan accounts that send me lovely messages," she added.

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira

Earlier this month, Africa For Palestine released a statement welcoming the intended withdrawal of Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane from the upcoming Israeli hosted Miss Universe, according to WAFA News Agency.

https://twitter.com/PACBI/status/1462787304318246918?s=20

Plastira works as a model in the Netherlands and in Greece. She is Martha Rizou‘s daughter. The Greek model was declared Miss Teen Thessaly in 2016.

Greek Miss Universe contestant Rafaela Plastira

On June 31, 2017, she represented Greece in World Beauty Queen 2017 in South Korea. She won the Best Personality award and finished in the Top 16. The beauty queen was 21 years old when she was appointed Miss Universe Greece 2021 in June 2021.