Two contestants in the Miss Universe pageant caused a huge backlash after posing for a selfie together.
Miss Iraq, Sarah Idan, and Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman, were taking part in the contest in Las Vegas when they took a snap together which Idan posted it to Instagram with the caption: 'Peace and love Miss Iraq and Miss Israel'.
The photo has been liked over 7,000 times.
However, Miss Iraq's family have now said they were forced to flee their country after many residents were left furious over the photo.
The huge backlash stems from the fact Iraq doesn't recognise Israel as a country and the two are technically at war.
Gadnelsman told Israeli TV that people had made threats against Idan and her family, even going as far as saying they would kill her.
According to the Times of Israel Idan's family were left with no choice but to leave Iraq 'until the situation calms down'.
She said: "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 title, that they would kill her."
Idan wrote a lengthy post in Arabic, which she posted to her Instagram, saying that just before the picture was taken Gandelsman had told her, "she hopes that one day there will be peace between the two religions (Judaism and Islam) and that her children will not have to do military service".
She added: "She asked for a photo and I agreed, saying that I too hoped for peace and wanted to help pass on the message.
"This picture doesn't mean I support the Israeli government or its polices towards Arab countries. I apologise to everyone who saw it as an insult to the Palestinian cause - this was not its purpose."
Gandelsman also shared the selfie on her Instagram with the caption: "This is Miss Iraq and she's amazing.'
Credit: The Times of Israel
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