MISS Greece Rafaela Plastira has dropped out of Miss Universe.
She will not be participating in the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in Eilat, Israel next month.
Her withdrawal is in support of the people of Palestine.
Taking to her Instagram account, she wrote: “My dear supporters, I unfortunately have to announce something that hurts my heart. I’m still Miss Universe Greece. I feel the need to give you all an explanation. And it hurts me because I’ve waited so many years to make my dream come true but also wanted to show you what I’m capable of,” she announced via her Instagram account.
“I will not be attending Miss Universe this year. The reason for that is the country. I am absolutely not disrespecting the country. I love all countries from all over the world but my heart goes to all the people fighting for their lives in Israel and Palestina. I can’t go up that stage and act like nothing is happening when people are fighting for their lives out there,” she continued.
“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. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the support and wishes. But we are not done yet. Started from my 16th and now 22. See you soon again,” she wrote.
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In another post, she wrote: “I may not live in Palestine but Palestine lives in my heart forever. I see humans but not humanity. Pray for Palestine.”
Her withdrawal was well-accepted by Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela who also begged Miss SA Lalela Mswane to rethink her decision.
In a lengthy post, Mandela wrote: “We salute Rafaele Plastira of Greece for withdrawing from the Miss Universe Pageant in Apartheid Israel. Her withdrawal is a courageous act and makes her a true hero of all who value human rights, justice and peace in the world. We urge Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane to listen to Miss Greece’s wise words.
“These words resonate with us as many took such a brave and courageous stand in our struggle against the brutal Apartheid regime in South Africa. We are pained that our words have fallen on deaf ears and the principled stand by President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in support of the Palestinian people is ignored by the Miss South Africa organisation and our own Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane,” he said.
“We continue to applaud the courageous voices of Miss Indonesia, Miss Malaysia and now Miss Greece and appeal to all our fellow African countries to withdraw and not allow their good name to be tainted by Apartheid Israel’s genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity perpetrated against innocent Palestinians.”
Organisations have been calling for Lalela to withdraw from Miss Universe.
The South African government also withdrew its support but Lalela has remained mum.
Instead, Miss SA Organisation CEO Stephanie Weil has insisted that Lalela will participate in the beauty pageant.
