Miss Iraq's family forced to flee country over 'peace' selfie with Miss Israel

Source: Instagram

Miss Iraq Sarah Idan and her family were forced to flee their country after receiving death threats over a 'peace' selfie with Miss Israel Adar Gandelsman.

Last month, Idan posted the photo online with caption “Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel #missuniverse” and heart emojis.

The 20-year-old beauty pageant contestant received several backlashes for the photo. The Instagram post was filled with curses at her for hurting the Palestinian cause.

Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel #missuniverse

A post shared by Sarah Idan (Sarai) سارة عيدان (@sarahidan) on Nov 13, 2017 at 2:51pm PST

Supporting Idan, Miss Israel also posted a photo on Instagram:

Get to know, this is Miss Iraq and she's amazing

A post shared by Miss Universe Israel (@adar_gandelsman) on Nov 13, 2017 at 4:47pm PST

Defending her decision to post the selfie online, Idan wrote on social media, “Despite the death threats and some negative response I’m proud to say I️ am glad for everything I️ have done, helping both my countries Iraq and US. I️ love them both equally.”

Idan's family has now left the Middle Eastern country to live with her in the United States, reports suggested.

“The two of those things together caused a mess for her back home where people made threats against her and her family that if she didn’t return home and take down the photos, they would remove her (Miss Iraq) title, that they would kill her,” Adar Gandelsman told Israeli TV.

Miss Iran later confirmed the news on Twitter:

I’m not the first nor the last person to face prosecution over a matter of personal freedom. Millions of Iraqi women live in fear. #freeiraqiwomen https://t.co/Vt0YjFbyf4 — Sarai (Sarah Idan) (@grrrciara) December 15, 2017

Idan has yet not removed the photo from her Instagram account.

Iraq does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Both the countries Iraqi and Israeli forces fought against each other in 1948, 1967 and 1973.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and set in motion the relocation of the US Embassy to the ancient city, breaking with decades of US policy that the city’s status must be decided in negotiations with the Palestinians.

The move upset the Arab world and several Western allies. Iraq too demanded that the US government backtrack on its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to avoid fuelling terrorism.