For decades, Israel has used cultural whitewashing to present an image of itself to the world as a just and free society, but that is far from the truth. As recently declared by B'Tselem, the Israeli human rights organisation, Israel is a racist apartheid state that brutally oppresses millions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza whilst continuing to expand its illegal settlement enterprise. Israel's treatment of people in Gaza is akin to genocide and Gaza is in a constant state of humanitarian crisis.

It is with cultural events like Miss Universe that Israel masks its war crimes and human right violations by presenting itself to the world as a normal state. 

Kat Walker, we are calling on you to follow the heroic example of your fellow contestants, Miss Greece, Miss Malaysia, and Miss Indonesia, who took a brave moral stand by withdrawing from this year's competition. If you truly want to represent Ireland then the best way that you can do that is by declaring to the world that you will not participate in any event that attempts to whitewash over Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people. Add your name to growing list of Irish artists and celebrities who, like Sally Rooney, pledged their support for the BDS movement. We understand that this competition represents a huge opportunity for you, but we pray that your compassion and love of humanity will prevail and that you will withdraw from this competition.