May 30, 2002
Politics at Miss Universe Pageant
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Yamit Har-Noy, Miss Israel 2002, poses in her Bluepoint swimsuit during the Miss Universe 2002 Presentation Show on May 24.Photo by Darren Decker/Reuters and the Miss Universe Organization
Miss Lebanon is boycotting this year's Miss Universe pageant, saying she will not participate alongside Miss Israel. Yamit Har-Noy, a 20-year-old member of the Israel Defense Force, called Christina Sawaya's decision "very distressing." "It is only a beauty pageant," Miss Israel said of the competition, which took place May 29 in Puerto Rico. "It has nothing to do with politics." -- JTA
