At a time when women in the Western world are graduating in great numbers in medicine, law, business etc., these beauty contests have become an embarrassment. Maybe Israel hasn't caught up.

...and I don't know if they still do it, but instead of an evening gown competition, they did wedding gowns here -- not very subtle, but what in Israel is? And unlike American competitions, unless things have changed, they don't give scholarships as prizes.

the contests are very popular..

crossed eye curved nose ugly smile why?

Why do you say "Maybe Israel hasn't caught up" when so many other countries eat this stuff up? Doesn't Canada participate in these beauty contests? In fact, it's only Muslim countries that object to these contests, but it's certainly not because they're so enlightened. And, personally, I think beauty contests are pretty ridiculous, but I don't know why you've singled out Israel for their participation.

What part of "she comes from a family of physicians and plans to be a doctor or a vet" did you miss? Israel has more than caught up, Mr. Canada.

israeli women are really beautiful.

Where are the dark Sephardi and Yemenite beauties?!? No disrespect to the girls--they're attractive--but there are far, far prettier Israeli ladies.

You made two comments that I have isues with: 1. You assume that women in Western countries are graduating from professional programs and Israeli women are not. This is not true about Israeli women and is ignorant of the fact that many women in Israel are doctors, lawyers and have their own business. 2. You make the insinuation that the Western world does not have beauty pageants. In our beloved Canada and the US we have just as many (or more) beauty pageants than Israel. In light of this I don't understand why wrote what you wrote.

Isn't this already OUT like the Eurovision songfestival....people, suprise me with something new!!!!!!!!!

We had a major pageant winner in Canada and most people didn't care . We have pageants here and most people yawn at them. As to Israel, my niece is studying law there, so I know what Israeli girls are capable of. What caught my attention in the article was the line "The star studded evening...." which seems to indicate an exaggerated importance. I don't think that women blue or white collar workers in Israel need to aspire to be beauty pageant winners.

michael, if you are starting with your idea of discrimination between sepharadic and ashkenazi female contestants, forget it. beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. it has nothing to do with racism, you moron.

what else a man can dream :) I am the best girls :)

we nevver gett sutch kind of reeward.

Used to be.

He always has to find something negative to say! He probably never gets invited anywhere for that very reason and instead annoys people here!

This year's winner looks very Jewish, not some blonde, European looking Barbie doll!

We demand a "beuaty king" and count me in as a cotestant!

Read his remark and you'll understand my comment. If you don't it means your English isn't good enough. Never mind. He said he should be a beauty king and he should be a cotestant (he meant contestant), Testerone is the male hormone. Now do you get it? Hmmm. I guess it wasn't THAT funny!

Testosterone is the word and yes you are right, should be contestant and not cotestant. One should be careful with their spelling when writing a rushed note! Anyway, I didn't understand your post. Would you care to explain please? By the way, don't you agree there should be a "beauty king" contest in addition to the "Mr Universe "contest? Contestants would have to be judged for their good looks, wit, charm, intelligence etc.. which is why I should be a good candidate for the contest. What do you think? ;-)

Liran is a beautiful Jewish Princess. Will Israel protect her, or will Israeli left-wing hack politicians sell her to the highest bidder in the Nobel Prize auction?

For once, I have to agree with Michael Steiner. It seems that without fail, the Israeli beauty queens are the most Western-white ones they can muster. Even the Druze girl that won a year or 2 ago was pale, bright-eyed, and redhead. I don't dispute that these girls aren't pretty, but I take issue with the "norm of beauty" that seems to push the judges to pick only these Euro-y types. HOw about a gorgeous Persian, Teimani or Ethiopian girl for once?

Just a reminder, beauty fades, dumb is forever.

Congratulations to the beautiful Miss Israel, Miss Iraq 2007 was also crowned on the same day in a 7 day event that took place from march 3rd to march 13th held in izmir-Turkey and 7 finalists were flown into Dohuk-Iraq and we announced the winner there and then moved back to Izmir-Turkey to celebrate. I hope I can invite Miss Israel to attend Miss Iraq 2008 in Nice France in March of 2008 I am the Organizer of Miss Iraq which is organized by my model agency TALAT MODEL MANAGEMENT. Silva Sahagian Miss Irtaq 2006 passed her crown on to the 2007 winner. Best wishes Liran and hope you win MISS UNIVERSE again for Israel, its been a long time since Israel won Miss Universe back in 1976 when I was born.

Its so sad that such a beautiful young lady such as Liran will have to go to the army and have all her innocence stripped away and get scarred for life, like most israelis over 18 are. such a shame, who needs war, who needs armies. dont u guys get it?