Zionist Media Targets Miss Palestine With Baseless “Terror” Accusations

Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Pro Israel media launched a new smear campaign targeting Miss Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub, the first Palestinian woman to compete in Miss Universe. The New York Post accused her of “terrorism” because she was once married to Sharaf Barghouti, the son of the detained Palestinian Mandela Marwan Barghouthi.

The Post used Ayoub’s marriage to push a political smear. Marwan Barghouthi is widely known as the Mandela of Palestine. Israel holds him on five life sentences. His name appears often in global discussions about political detainees

The New York Post used Barghouthi’s appearance in recent prisoner exchange proposals as a pretext. Hamas resistance movement listed him along with hundreds of other detainees from various factions. Israel still holds more than 11,000 Palestinian detainees and hostages, using them as bargaining chips to pressure families.

The Post also published racist remarks. It mocked Ayoub for wearing a burkini during the swimsuit segment. It wrote: “What’s more, her participation in each pageant’s swimsuit competitions raised eyebrows for the incongruence… Ayoub received publicity this week for making the ‘empowering’ choice to wear a ‘burkini’.”

The outlet also cited Israeli ministers who denied the existence of Palestine and the Palestinian people. These statements now form part of the campaign against Miss Palestine.

Honoring Palestine on the Miss Universe Stage

On Wednesday, Ayoub walked onto the Miss Universe stage with a powerful message. She wore an ivory gown that blended traditional tatreez embroidery with symbols from Palestinian history. She shared on Instagram that stepping on stage in a dress “that carries generations within it” was one of the most meaningful moments of her life.

Her outfit included a crown inspired by the shatweh. The embroidery featured an olive-tree design to symbolize peace and belonging. She carried a small key, representing the memory of home.

A hand-painted cape draped across her shoulders paid tribute to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She wanted this to honor shared heritage.

“This wasn’t just a costume for me. It was my heritage, my voice, and my heart,” she wrote. “Every stitch came from the art of tatreez, the stories, hands, and resilience of Palestinian women.”