Miss Indonesia 2025 Finalist Disqualified Over Pro-Israel Video
A twenty-year-old Miss Indonesia 2025 finalist has been disqualified after a two-year-old video surfaced showing her dancing and waving an Israeli flag. The video was filmed while she was studying in Israel and was accompanied by the caption: "Diligent for Zion, loyal to Jerusalem, standing for Israel."
The incident triggered fierce criticism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and public sentiment is decidedly pro-Palestinian.
Merince Kogoya defended herself on Instagram, stating that the video was an expression of her Christian faith rather than a political declaration. However, her Instagram account still displays the phrase "I stand with Israel."
The public reaction was unforgiving, with many insisting that "a Miss Indonesia finalist must represent the nation's values." Countless social media posts condemned her sympathy with Israel.
"Thank goodness she was disqualified. How could she support Israel? She must know that we do not recognise Israel. It is not fitting for a Miss Indonesia," wrote one user on X.
The organisation behind Miss Indonesia removed Kogoya from the competition without issuing an official statement. She was replaced by Karmen Anastasya from the same province.
Indonesia is considered "moderately tolerant" towards non-Muslims. The constitution guarantees religious freedom for six recognised religions. Approximately 87 per cent of the population is Muslim, 11 per cent is Christian, and two per cent belongs to other religions. Non-Muslims can practise their faith, and Christians have significant political representation, accounting for 15 per cent of parliamentarians in 2023. National holidays are observed for Christians and other minorities.
The western half of the island of New Guinea is Indonesian, comprising the provinces of Papua and West Papua, both of which have Christian majorities. Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975 and is a sovereign nation with its own government, constitution, and parliament.
The incident triggered fierce criticism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and public sentiment is decidedly pro-Palestinian.
Merince Kogoya defended herself on Instagram, stating that the video was an expression of her Christian faith rather than a political declaration. However, her Instagram account still displays the phrase "I stand with Israel."
The public reaction was unforgiving, with many insisting that "a Miss Indonesia finalist must represent the nation's values." Countless social media posts condemned her sympathy with Israel.
"Thank goodness she was disqualified. How could she support Israel? She must know that we do not recognise Israel. It is not fitting for a Miss Indonesia," wrote one user on X.
The organisation behind Miss Indonesia removed Kogoya from the competition without issuing an official statement. She was replaced by Karmen Anastasya from the same province.
Indonesia is considered "moderately tolerant" towards non-Muslims. The constitution guarantees religious freedom for six recognised religions. Approximately 87 per cent of the population is Muslim, 11 per cent is Christian, and two per cent belongs to other religions. Non-Muslims can practise their faith, and Christians have significant political representation, accounting for 15 per cent of parliamentarians in 2023. National holidays are observed for Christians and other minorities.
The western half of the island of New Guinea is Indonesian, comprising the provinces of Papua and West Papua, both of which have Christian majorities. Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975 and is a sovereign nation with its own government, constitution, and parliament.