The crisis surrounding Miss Israel 2026 took on a new dimension on July 1, 2026. Melanie Shiraz, Miss Universe Israel 2025, claims that everything she had denounced, particularly in InterviewThe allegations concerning the Miss Israel organization and its director, Edgar Saakyan, are being confirmed. At the heart of these accusations: a pre-determined selection process, presented to the public as a genuine competition.
A winner designated in advance
Melanie Shiraz claims that the organization was designed to crown a predetermined candidate instead of holding a genuine national competition. According to her allegations, the process was rigged to give the appearance of a transparent contest, while the outcome had already been decided internally. She maintains that this charade was carried out at the expense of the other candidates and the Israeli women who believed they were participating in a fair selection process.
Danielle Yablonka at the center of the scandal
The name put forward by Melanie Shiraz is that of Danielle Yablonka. A candidate in 2025, Yablonka finished as first runner-up to Melanie Shiraz at Miss Universe Israel 2025, a competition held in Florida. Shiraz now claims that Yablonka was to be crowned Miss Universe Israel 2026 on July 1st, without the public being informed of the allegedly predetermined nature of the decision.
In her statement, Melanie Shiraz accuses Yablonka of having willingly participated in what she describes as a public deception. She believes this situation damages not only the other candidates, but also the credibility of a platform meant to represent Israel.
Edgar Saakyan directly targeted
Melanie Shiraz is also targeting Edgar Saakyan, a managing partner of Edgar Entertainment and the Miss Israel organization. She accuses him of running an unethical process, mistreating women within the organization, and acting against the interests of Israel and the Jewish people. She claims to have personally experienced abusive behavior from him on several occasions during her reign. Melanie Shiraz also alleges pressure, threats, intimidation, disputed financial demands, and attempts to control her public image during her year-long reign.
A controversy over the legitimacy of the competition
The case also raises the issue of national representation. Melanie Shiraz asserts that some of the shortlisted candidates were not Israeli citizens when they entered the process. The organization, for its part, defended a temporary extension of eligibility to Jewish women in the diaspora, presented as a gesture of solidarity with Israel after October 7th.
For Melanie Shiraz, this explanation is insufficient. She believes that the Miss Israel title must first and foremost represent Israeli women, their experiences, their voices, and their direct connection to the country. According to her, allowing an opaque process to predetermine Israel's representative strips the crown of its legitimacy.
