In first for Israel, Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat in December

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Contestants congratulate new Miss Universe Catriona Gray, center, from the Philippines during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17, 2018.

Israel will host the 2021 Miss Universe pageant for the first time in December, the Tourism Ministry announces. The pageant will be held in Eilat, the ministry says.

Israeli producer Tali Eshkoli and Los Angeles-based producer Assaf Blecher are responsible for bringing the Miss Universe pageant to Israel, which will be run by the Miss Universe organization in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Municipality.

From the end of November, competition contestants will arrive in Israel for three weeks of TV events, broadcast live around the world. These include the semi-final and final events, the national costume show, and other gala events such as the red-carpet event, events in the community, charity events, and more. The 70th Miss Universe Competition will once again be hosted by legendary entertainer Steve Harvey.

Delegations from about 100 countries are expected to attend the pageant in Israel, including more than 1,200 members of official delegations, hundreds of journalists and TV crews, thousands of pageant enthusiasts and tourists, more than 100 American celebrities, including top-tier artists and world-famous judges. Every year, the event is widely covered in the media and it will add Israel to the map of countries that have previously hosted the prestigious pageant.

The show will air in nearly 160 countries and territories across the globe. In the United States, FOX will be the English-language home of the competition, while Telemundo will be the exclusive Spanish-language broadcast partner.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global community that empowers women to realize their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success.  The organization’s programs provide the women who participate an international platform to affect positive change through influential humanitarian and professional efforts. The contestants and titleholders are leaders and role models in their communities, develop personal and professional goals, and inspire others to do the same.

Israel minister of tourism Yoel Razvozov: “We in Israel are delighted to host the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the iconic Miss Universe pageant. Israel is a beautiful land of creativity and innovation and we have successfully faced the COVID-19 crisis head-on. Therefore, today we are among the first countries to host an international event – the unifying Miss Universe. What a great opportunity. An event celebrating women’s empowerment, optimism, tolerance, and desire for excellence, that crosses every geographical and national border.”

He adds: “I fully hope that in December we will be celebrating not only the new Miss Universe here in Israel but most importantly, the end of the world pandemic. I wish all participants good health and good luck and I look forward to seeing you all soon.”