Miss Israel Is Done With the Army: ‘I Finish It With Pride’

Adar Gandelsman with contestants at Miss Universe 2017 Image by Getty Images

By Jenny Singer July 18, 2018

Who has two thumbs, the “Miss Israel” crown, a modeling career, an athleisure line and a successful diplomatic international success under her belt, and finished her service in the Israeli army this week?

Adar Gandelsman, that’s who.

The 20-year-old was catapulted to sudden fame last year when, representing Israel at the Miss Universe pageant, she met a woman named Sarah Idan, the representative of Iraq. The two women posted pictures of themselves with their arms around each other, attracting massive attention and controversy. Gandelsman was mostly lauded by Israeli public figures while Idan’s extended family was forced to flee Iraq. Idan travelled to Israel in June to reunite with Gandelsman and tour the country.

And the whole time, Gandelsman was quietly serving in the Israeli Defense Force. On Tuesday, she posted images to her social media showing her slicing up her army ID card — before you cry foul, the practice of cutting up IDF cards on the last day of army service is a long tradition with zero ideological significance. After a few ignorant critics jumped in to call Gandelsman ungrateful, she defended herself, writing: “The military service in Israel for women is 2 years and I finish it with pride! Check before you say something about my service.”

Mazal, Adar! May you go from strength to strength.

Jenny Singer is the deputy lifestyle editor for the Forward. You can reach her at Singer@forward.com or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny

Jenny Singer is a freelance writer with pieces in Vox, the Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Teen Vogue, and more. She was previously a staff writer at Glamour and the Forward, and she’s currently getting an MFA in nonfiction writing at the University of Iowa.

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