First 'Miss Palestine'... Marries Son of Terrorist Leader

First-Ever Palestinian Representative Competes at Miss Universe
Controversy Erupts Over Tensions with Miss Israel

Reports have emerged that the woman representing Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant has ties to Palestinian militant groups.

According to the New York Post and the Jerusalem Post on the 24th (local time), Nadin Ayoub, 27, who represented Palestine at the recently held Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, Thailand, is married to the son of a leader of the Palestinian armed uprising.

On the 21st (local time), Miss Palestine Nadin Ayoub took the stage at the Miss Universe pageant. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

The Jerusalem Post reported that "Ayoub married the son of a terrorist leader," confirming that her husband is Sharaf Barghouti, the son of Marwan Barghouti, age 66. The report stated that Ayoub was referred to by her husband's surname, 'Barghouti,' several times on Facebook, and that Marwan Barghouti's wife posted a congratulatory message for their marriage.

Marwan Barghouti led the Second Intifada (Palestinian armed uprising) that began in 2000 and was convicted of killing five Israelis. In 2002, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and has been incarcerated for 22 years. Due to his long imprisonment, he is also known as the 'Mandela of the West Bank.' Hamas has consistently demanded his release during ceasefire negotiations with Israel, but Israel has refused.

This year marks the first time a Palestinian representative has participated in Miss Universe. In her announcement earlier this year, Ayoub stated, "I stand on stage with the truth," and added, "I represent the strength of all Palestinian women and children that the world needs to know about."

On the 9th, at the Miss Universe pageant, the Palestinian and Israeli representatives stood side by side on stage, drawing attention. At that time, a video showing Israeli representative Melany Shiraaz appearing to glare sideways at Ayoub spread on social media, sparking controversy. In an interview with Fox News, Shiraaz explained, "The video was edited to make it look like I was the only one looking in that direction." She also said that she received threats of sexual assault and murder as a result.

Ayoub has posted several times on social media, accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and mourning children killed in Gaza. One of these posts included a photo of Israeli siblings who were kidnapped and killed by Hamas, which caused controversy. In response, Shiraaz criticized Ayoub, saying, "These children are Israeli," and argued that "changing their identity to Palestinian is a distortion," escalating tensions between the two.