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Pageant contestant in Muslim majority nation ousted over pro-Israel video

Related: Javier Bardem interrupted mid-speech on Gaza as US talk show cuts to commercial break
  • Miss Indonesia 2025 contestant Merince Kogoya was disqualified after a two-year-old video showing her expressing support for Israel resurfaced.
  • The video, reportedly from her time studying abroad, showed Kogoya holding and waving an Israeli flag while dancing, with a pro-Israel caption.
  • Kogoya faced significant backlash in Indonesia, a majority Muslim nation with strong pro-Palestinian sentiment and no diplomatic relations with Israel.
  • The pageant organisers quietly removed Kogoya from the competition and replaced her with contestant Karmen Anastasya, without issuing an official statement.
  • Kogoya responded to the backlash by stating the video was not political but represented her Christian faith, though her Instagram bio reportedly still displayed “I stand with Israel”.
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