At Miss Universe contest, Miss Lebanon, Miss Israel are 'best of friends'

Agence France Presse ^ | July 21, 2006 | Paul Bustamente

[Cecily]

LOS ANGELES - Peace reigns at least at the Miss Universe 2006 contest, where beauties Miss Lebanon and Miss Israel are the "best of friends" despite the bloody fighting between the two countries back home, their companions said.

Even as Israel has bombarded Lebanon in the wake of a missile barrage by the Hezbollah militia in the country's south, the two women -- Gabrielle Bou Rached of Lebanon and Israel's Anastacia Entin -- have struck up a friendship ahead of Sunday's tough competition to see who is named the world's most beautiful woman.

"I think the perpetrators of the current Middle East crisis could learn a few lessons from Miss Lebanon and Miss Israel, who are the best of friends here," said Miss Germany Natalia Ackerman.

The contest doesn't allow much room for warring, with contestants from 86 countries this year all crammed into the same Los Angeles hotel for a month with a rigorous schedule of rehearsals for the show. Mostly in their early twenties, the women become friends mainly based on geographic nearness and shared languages.

Entin and Rached have been pulled together by the force of shared cultures, whatever is happening back home, smiling, posing for pictures together, even though Rached's presence sparked a protest by some 20 Lebanese Muslims Wednesday in front of the downtown Los Angeles hotel.

[mnehring]

After visiting this thread, I believe there is a chance for peace in the world. Just get rid of the asswipes who want to keep women in burkas and us men will be distracted by God's best creations.

[Jet Jaguar]

She is a looker!

[Fiddlstix]

bttt

[nuconvert]

Yes, she's also extremely thin

[CounterCounterCulture]

She can come to my church anytime. :-)

[nuconvert]

Miss Poland is well-endowed. Very attractive

[misterrob]

Needs a sandwich....look at those ribs!!

[billhilly]

When she kvetches, who cares?

[warsaw44]

I just finished reading Mark Bowden's ' Guests of the Ayatollah ' and he finished one of the very last chapters in which he discussed his time as an author in Iran with this:
" A determined tyranny can last for many lifetimes no matter how unpopular. I did note that on both flights out of Tehran ( admittedly an affluent sample ) ALL of the women abroad quickly shed head scarves and roupoosh the moment the plane left the ground "

Folks should pick up Mr. Bowden's book. As usual he has delivered a top shelf book.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

WOW!

[elhombrelibre]

Hmmmm, it's getting tough to pick a favorite.

[nuconvert]

And hang on to your seats for Miss Brazil

[elhombrelibre]

Is it me or is the competition especially tough this year?

[billhilly]

My little town in Kentucky had a Godsend of Lebanese merchants. They were pillars of our community, and among the best people I have ever known.

[Victor]

And hang on to your seats for Miss Brazil.....

AAArghh!!!...My heart...Oh, well. What a great way o go...

[Cecily]

Some Europeans. I think Miss Norway and Miss Croatia are standouts.

[nuconvert]

There are a number of beautiful girls alright.
But can they tap dance or twirl a baton?? Lol.

[AmericanMade1776]

Obviously, Miss Lebanon is not Hizbollah.

[Slings and Arrows]

Here's another neighbor of Miss Israel...

A little skinny, but I could definitely sign a peace treaty with her...

[billhilly]

"And hang on to your seats for Miss Brazil"

Rymes with seats.