Former Miss Iraq Slams ‘Biased Media’ Coverage of Israel

BY AARON BANDLER | JUL 2, 2019 | WORLD

Sarah Idan, who was Iraq’s representative at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, criticized the “biased media” coverage against Israel in a July 2 speech at the United Nations.

Idan recalled the Iraqi government ordering her to take down a photo she had posted to social media of Idan and the 2017 Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman. The Iraqi government also forced her to condemn Israel. She later received death threats.

“Since then, I have no longer return to my homeland,” Idan said. “Why did the Iraqi government fail to condemn the threats, or allow my freedom of speech?”

She added that conflicts between Israel and myriad Arab countries stem from “belief systems taught in Muslim countries that which are anti-Semitic.” A “biased media” reinforces these beliefs, Idan said.

“When I watched the news last month, why did they never report that the Hamas terrorist organization fired nearly 700 rockets at Israeli civilians in one weekend, or that Hamas used Palestinians as human shields?” Idan said. “Why do they never condemn Hamas for initiating the attacks? Instead, they only show those killed by the response, in self-defense, and blame Israel.”

Idan also pointed out that “Arab media” never asks for her opinion on Middle East issues; they only “publish false translations of my statements.” She urged Arab states to make common cause with Israel since they have more in common with the Jewish State than with Islamic terror groups.

“Negotiating peace for both states isn’t betraying the Arab cause but a vital step toward ending conflict and suffering for all,” Idan said.

Idan currently heads the philanthropy organization Forward Humanity; she criticized former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters’ calls to boycott Israel in May, tweeting, “I never understood artists who boycott an entire country, you’re singing for people not for governments.”

Idan was on Journal Editor-in-Chief’s David Suissa’s May 24 podcast.

https://jewishjournal.com/news/world/300969/former-miss-iraq-slams-biased-media-coverage-of-israel/