Nadeen Ayoub, the first-ever woman to represent Palestine at Miss Universe, finds herself at the center of a political firestorm. Recent reports indicate that she was previously married to Sharaf Barghouti, the son of imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, sparking widespread debate and outcry. The Jerusalem Post+2조선일보+2

A Historic Milestone — and a Sudden Storm

Ayoub made history when she was appointed Miss Universe Palestine 2025, becoming the first Palestinian contestant to enter the global pageant. Born in the U.S. and raised in Canada, she later settled between Dubai and Ramallah, and founded Olive Green Academy, a women’s empowerment platform focused on sustainability and AI. In an August announcement, she spoke of carrying “the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced.”

The Barghouti Connection

According to a Jerusalem Post investigation, Ayoub married Sharaf Barghouti in 2016. Sharaf is the son of Marwan Barghouti, currently serving multiple life sentences in Israeli prison for orchestrating deadly attacks during the Second Intifada. Social media posts — now mostly removed — reportedly show her using the surname “Barghouti” and celebrating her marriage. She is also said to have a son named Marwan, apparently in honor of her father-in-law.

Some reports argue that Ayoub may have downplayed or attempted to scrub her Barghouti ties from her online presence ahead of Miss Universe.

Political Fallout & Public Reaction

The revelation has ignited sharp criticism. Israeli Miss Universe contestant Melanie Shiraz publicly condemned Ayoub’s inclusion, calling it a breach of the pageant’s values. Others accuse the Miss Universe organization of ignoring potential red flags.

Meanwhile, Ayoub and her supporters defend her position, arguing that she is using her platform to humanize the Palestinian narrative and highlight the plight of her people. In interviews, she has emphasized her role as a cultural ambassador — not just a beauty queen.