Money For Israel And How It Is Spent

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                 

I have heard some complaints about Israel receiving money from the USA.  Here's how it is spent.

U.S. aid to Israel is heavily structured as a two-way street. While Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance , over 74% of its military aid is legally required to be spent on American-made defense goods . This effectively acts as a massive subsidy for the U.S. defense sector. 

Israel's thinking now is to get sufficient enough to do without US Aid so they don't have to answer to anyone, being an independent country and not part of another and their decisions.  

U.S. aid is primarily allocated through a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which guarantees $3.8 billion annually . 

• Foreign Military Financing (FMF): Over $3.3 billion is provided yearly as essentially a "gift card" that Israel uses to purchase American-made weapons systems, fighter jets, and munitions. 
  
        Defense and Security Expo:  Eurosatory June 15, 2026
• Missile Defense: Approximately $500 million annually goes directly into jointly developing and producing advanced defense systems like the Iron Dome. 
•  During major conflicts, Congress regularly passes multi-billion-dollar supplemental packages to replenish American and Israeli weapons stockpiles.  The U.S.-Israel alliance is a mutually beneficial partnership, generating immense technological, economic, and strategic returns for America: 
  
  
  
  • Because the vast majority of FMF money must be spent in the U.S., it directly supports thousands of American jobs across states like Texas, California, and New York. Major U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX rely on Israel as a massive, steady customer .
  •  Israel serves as a vital testing ground for U.S. weapons in high-threat environments, allowing the Pentagon to refine and improve American military technology without risking the lives of U.S. troops .  Israel acts as a vital geopolitical counterweight to U.S. adversaries in the Middle East , sharing critical, real-time intelligence that prevents major terrorist attacks.
    
  • The nature of this financial relationship is shifting. With Israel's economy booming and approaching a $1 trillion GDP, Israeli leadership—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—has pushed to transition away from traditional military aid. The two nations are increasingly renegotiating their defense pact to focus on joint technological innovation, shared defense co-production, and trade, moving away from a posture of dependency to an equal industrial partnership.
  • Resource:
  • israelAM
  • https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/06/09/on-u-s-military-aid-phase-out-for-israel-go-smartly-not-quickly/
  • https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/IN12695.html

Monday June 29, The Busy Day For Israel

 Nadene Goldfoot                                           

On 2 March 2026 the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader at the start of the war with Israel and the US.

The IDF responded with a wave of strikes across Lebanon, targeting what it said was Hezbollah infrastructure, and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

An IDF spokesperson first ordered Lebanese civilians living close to the border to leave on 2 March. Days later the evacuation order was expanded to those living south of the Litani river about 30km (20 miles) from the border, and it was then later widened further to those living south of the Zahrani river 40km from the border.  On 16 March,2026 the IDF said its troops had begun a ground operation against Hezbollah - a Shia Muslim political and military group - in south Lebanon. 

An IDF post in the Syrian buffer zone came under fire 

overnight. IDF responded with mortar fire, artillery and an 

attack helicopter strike. No casualties were reported. 

Lebanon is under a series of U.S.-brokered truces and a 

trilateral framework agreement, though fighting with 

Hezbollah has continued.

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have established and expanded a military "security buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, covering approximately 570 to 600 square kilometers and extending up to 10 kilometers deep into Lebanese territory . The zone involves controlled demolitions of border villages and forward operating bases."

• The Framework Agreement: Signed on June 26, 2026, this Washington-brokered pact calls for the Lebanese army to take exclusive control of the South Litani area and forces an Israeli withdrawal, pending Hezbollah's disarmament. (This is the almost impossible part)
• The June Cease-fire: A 10-day U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect on June 21, 2026 

The IDF destroyed a massive Hezbollah underground 

tunnel in the south Lebanon village of Majdal Zoun last night. 

The tunnel was over 200 meters long and 25 meters deep and 

was used to store hundreds of weapons, including drones, 

warheads and explosives. The tunnel was built over a decade 

ago using Iranian technology and backing. The explosion was 

heard throughout northern Israel.

"Capt. David Hazzut, 21, from Ashkelon, a Platoon commander

in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, was killed overnight 

Saturday in combat in southern Lebanon." Our men have to 

grow up fast in Israel.  

Formation: The brigade was officially formed on February 28, 1948, during the Arab-Israeli War, when the Haganah’s Levanoni Brigade was divided. The brigade was named after the mountainous Galilee region, which founders could see from their farmlands. The olive tree symbolizes the strong roots of the fighters. 

Because of Israel's small population and mandatory conscription, military service touches almost every family. When a soldier dies, it is not viewed as a statistic but as a tragedy affecting the whole community . Culturally, every life is highly valued, and preserving every soldier remains deeply tied to national survival and unity.

Last week, Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement

providing for a partial Israeli withdrawal from “pilot areas” in 

southern Lebanon and their transfer to the Lebanese army, 

while also allowing the IDF to remain in most areas under its 

control in the security zone until the threat posed by Hezbollah 

is removed.

"Rafael Advanced Defense Systems today announced

that it has signed an agreement with Romania’s Ministry of 

National Defense for the Spyder air defense system to protect 

the country against short- to medium-range air threats, as part 

of a large-scale strategic agreement with an estimated value 

of over 2 billion Euros. It is the second largest defense sale 

ever by an Israeli company."  It's great to see that Israel can 

make something that will save lives and make money at the 

same time helping Israel's goal to become independent of 

others like like the USA.  

Resource:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o

Judah's Kingdom During Times Of Israel

                                            Tribe of Judah, fighters when necessary

The Kingdom of Judah was an ancient Iron Age kingdom in the Southern Levant. Centered around its capital, Jerusalem, it formed following the split of the United Monarchy around 930 BCE. It was ruled by the House of David until its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
 Nadene Goldfoot                                                    

Judah was the 4th son of Jacob and Leah.  It was he who persuaded his 11 other brothers to just sell Joseph instead of killing him to a passing Ishmaelite.  He couldn't stand seeing him trapped in the pit.  King David belonged to his tribe and he had taken a leading position amongst all of them.  Kingdom of Judah supported Solomon's son, Rehoboam and was predominant in the southern kingdom. 

1. Rehoboam (933-917 BCE), son of Solomon, mother was Ammonite Naamah, he kept Solomon's tax program going, causing split with Simeon staying with Judah and most of Benjamin, too.  So Egypt's Shishak invaded then and plundered the Temple.  

2. Abijam (917-915BCE), son of Rehoboam, warred with Jeroboam of Israel which was mean to do to their neighbor, said  rabbis.    

3. Asa (915-875 BCE) son of Abijam, he got help from Aram-Dammesek to fight Baasha, reestablished independence of the country.  He made key fortresses of Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah along the border with Israel.  Had a victory over the Ethiopian Zerah who invaded Judah up to Mareshah, abolished heathen cults in his kingdom!!

                                  Athalia and high Priest  

4. Jehoshaphat (875-851BCE) son of Asa, 1st to make a treaty with Israel, married his son, below, to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab of Israel !!Fought with Ahab against Aram (Syria) and with Ahab's son Jehoram against Mesha of Moab.  Tried to revive sea commerce, but his ship was wrecked.  His piety is praised by rabbis.  

Prophets of Baal doing their thing on Mt. Carmel

5. Jehoram (851-844 BCE) son of Jehoshaphat, put his brothers and many leading men of state to death.  Athalia and he introduced Baal cult into Judah.  Edomites revolted against him; Philistines and Arabs invaded who plundered Jerusalem.  He died after a prolonged illness.

6. Ahaziah (844-843 BCE)(853BCE) , son of Ahab, denounced as an idolator by Elijah, succeeded by his 1/2 brother Jehoram. A Baal worshipper. He and Jehoram, his uncle of Israel in battle against Hazael of Syria.  Jehoram was wounded and Ahaziah visited him at his place in Jezreel  where both were killed by King Jehu of Israel.  

7. Athalia (843-837 BCE), daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Her son was Ahaziah-king for one year Queen of Judah, she had exterminated the whole royal family except for her grandson, Joash who was saved by his aunt Jehosheba.  She now seized power and introduced the Baal cult into Judah.  She ruled for 6 years and a revolt broke out in favor of Joash, and this Queen of Judah was put to death.  

8. Joash, king of Judah (837-798BCE) son of Joash (also known as Jehoash), the eighth king of Judah , was the son of King Ahaziah and his mother was Zibiah of Beersheba.   When a year old, throne was seized by his grandmother, Athaliah who had all members of the house of David murdered.  His aunt  Hehosheba, wife of high priest Jehoiada, was kept hidden in the Temple for 6 years.  Hehoiada then crowned Joash king, had Athalia put to death, obliterated the Baal cult, and acted as regent until his majority.  He continued in the priesstly tradition and restored the Temple, but later, deviated from his former uprightness. the country was invaded by Haszael of Aram who was bought off with a large indemnity.  Joash was killed by conspirators.   

9. Amaziah (798-780 BCE), son of Joash, and put murderers of his father to death, Took over Edom, defeated fighting in Samaria where he was held prisoner, killed in a palace revolution.  

10. Azariah/Uzziah , son of Amaziah  (780-740 BCE) king at age 16, conquered Philistia and defeated the Arabians and Meunites to the south of his kingdom.  Headed a league of kings opposing Tiglath-Pileser.  

11. Jotham, son of Gideon (740-735 BCE) Youngest of Gideon's 70 sons and the sole survivor of Abimelech's massacre of his brothers;  from Mt. Gerizim, uttered a parable rebuking the people of Shechem for electing Abimelech king.  

12. Ahaz (735-720 BCE), son of Jotham,  his kingdom was attacked by Israel and Syria while the Edomites and Philistines harried his southern lands, so he got Tiglath -Pileser  of Assyria to help him  (sounds like today's episodes) T-P invaded Israel and Syria in 733 BCE.  This made Judah an Assyrian vassal, and their kind of idolatry.  

13. Hezekiah, son of Ahaz,  (720-692 BCE)Freed religious worship from Assyrian influence, puraged the palace and Temple of images and pagan altars, and renewed the pure monotheistic religion.  This was supported by the prophets like Isaiah.  Hezekiah allied with neighboring rulers,  fortified Jerusalem,  created the SILOAM tunnel to improve its water supply.  In 712 joined states in uprising against Assyria.  Sargon II sent expedition and captured the Philistine cities but didn't enter Judah, Edom, or Moab. Hezekiah was forced to pay a large indemnity and ceed 43 cities.  Judah was attacked a 2nd time.  He had to stop fighting as a plague entered his camp.   

14. Manasseh, son of Hezekiah  692-638 BCE)king at age 12, one of the worst Jewish monarchs.  He canceled his father's reforms, reintroduced pagan practices and shocked the faithful that the destruction of the Temple was said to be his fault.  He put to death those loyal monotheists.  Spent some time as a captive in Babylon.  His pagan innovations were the result of Assyrian pressure, it was said.  

15. Amon (638-637) (642-640 BCE) son of Manasseh,  On throne at age 22,  ruled for 2 years , then killed by conspirators.   

16. Josiah, son of Amon (637-608BCE) king at age 8.  At 21 began a program of religious reform, removing foreign cults, and reestablished pure Judaism.  Assyrian influence was declining.  He had support from prophets Nahum, Zephaniah and Jeremiah.  While repairing the Temple, high priest Hilkiah discovered a Book of the Law which so influenced Josiah that during Passover 621 BCE had assembly of all the people and a solemn covenant was made with G-d. He centralized worship at Jerusalem Temple. His reign was of cultural, religious, and political prosperity.   In a battle at Megiddo, his army was defeated and he mortally wounded.  His reforms were the basis for the work of Ezra and Nehemiah.  

17.Shallum/ Jehoahaz son of Josiah, (608 BCE), King of Judah for 3 months-crowned after his father was killed by the Egyptians.  He belonged to the pro-Babylonian party since he was deposed and arrested by Pharaoh Necoh, dying in captivity in Egypt.  

18. Eliakim/Jehoiakim, son of Josiah (608-598 BCE) made king by Pharaoh Nicoh in succession to his brother, Jehoahaz.  He was subject to Egypt for 3 years,  but Necoh was defeated at Carchemish in 605 BCE.  became a Babylonian vassal.  In 601 BCE he joined the pro-Egyptian party in Judah in opposition to the advice of Jeremiah who pictures Jehoiakim as a tyrannical oppressor. Jehoiakim died while Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians in 598 BCE.   

19.Coniah/Jeconiah/ Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim (598-597 BCE)king at age 18, during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.  King for 3 months 10 days before giving into Nebuchadnezzar.  Exiled in Babylon, until Evil-Merodach came  in 561 when he was released.  

20.Mattaniah/ Zedekiah, son of Josiah,  (597-586 BCE) made king by Nebuchadnezzar when age 21, then used Zedekiah, swore allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar.  In 594 BCE visited Babylon.  When king for 9 years, conspired with Egypt so Babylonians invaded his kingdom and captured Jerusalem.  Zedekiah was overtaken when running away and brought back for trial before Nebuchadnezzar. His sons were killed before him, his eyes were put out, and he was imprisoned in Babylon until his death.   

Hezekiah and Josiah were especially associated with periods of religious revival.  The Assyrian expansion, which had overwhelmed the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was checked before the walls of Jerusalem in 701 BCE.  However, the city and state succumbed to the Babylonians in 586 BCE, with large numbers of the people being deported by them.  Gedaliah of the royal house tried to keep the state of Judah.  Exiled Returnees from Babylonia still had their ideals and brought back Jewish life after 539 BCE.  

Judah existed for 265 years.  That's like going back to 1761 compared to 2026 and notice the difference. After 586 BCE, the Kingdom of Judah was dissolved and did not have its own king . The territory was ruled by a succession of foreign empires that appointed governors and client rulers to administer the region. After the royal Davidic dynasty ended with the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE , Judah was dominated by a succession of five major foreign empires over the next seven centuries . These empires controlled the region as provinces, later granting brief autonomy under the native Hasmonean kingdom, until ultimate Roman subjugation . 

                                               

In 70 CE the Romans attacked Jerusalem and caused starvation of the ultimate; took slaves, looted the Temple, made slaves carry loot back to Rome.  Created Arch of Titus to remember event.  

Resource:
The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

 

Times When Ancient Israel Ruled

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                   

        Ancient Israel and Judah originated as related Iron Age kingdoms in the Southern Levant. Following is a  period of united rule under 3 fantastic kings; Saul, David and Solomon. This history is like having gold  to have of people who lived over 3,000 years ago.  We have their history.  It's recorded right in the Tankah (Old Testament).  It's backed up by present day archaeology finds and clay tablets, many things;  even pictures on the walls of Egyptian tombs and Ur's excavations and so many other finds with writing. This is the bare bones of our ancestors literally  and the grounding of our Jewish religion.  We do not take this lightly.  

Life in 1000 BC was defined by the dawn of the Iron Age. Across a global population of roughly 50 million, most people were subsistence farmers. Society was increasingly dominated by powerful kings, religious temples, and expanding regional empires that were replacing earlier Bronze Age civilizations. 

 We know the best and the worst of these people who lived so long ago, and can see what we have inherited.  Kings are our best source.  They cannot live without everyone knowing their business in any era.                                          

A. 1st king Saul, son of Kish of the tribe of Benjamin (  1047 BCE  to 1007 BCE  ) had son, Jonathan, David's  best friend. He fought Philistines and Ammonites.  Prophet Samuel selected him to be king for the people.  Then he fought Moabites, Arameans.  Saul eliminated witchcraft;  Samuel later chose David to be king, who was very popular with the people.  Philistines won temporarily, but his work on national unity established a strong and independent Israelite monarchy.  

B. (David, son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah,  born in Bethlehem (1000-970 BCE) , armor bearer to Saul at 25, wrote psalms, successful soldier against Philistines,  married Saul's daughter, Michal.  Saul was jealous of David would do harm to him, David hid out with Achish, King of Gath.  Battle of Mt. Gilboa took Saul and his 3 sons.  David returned to Hebron as King-declared himself. We still admire David and sing his praises.         

                  Solomon the Wise

 C. Solomon, son of David (961--920 BCE) , the region split around 931 BCE into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. Had Temple built at expense of forced labor, his mistake causing division of Israel-Judah, weakening country. We know him for his wisdom, but he was in a panic mode to finish the Temple before his death and that was not wise for the people..    

1.  Jeroboam I, son of Solomon (933-912) (930-910) inherited Israel, divided from Judah. of Ephraim, did superintendent of forced labor job, but led the revolt against it; became king in Shechem, then in Transjordan, then in Tirzah.  Egyptians invaded 5 years later.  He set up shrines in Bethel and Dan.  worshipping golden calves.  He sinned.  

2. Nadab, son of Jerobom,  only ruled from 913-911 BCE  assassinated by fighting Philistines by rival Baasha. 

3. Baasha, son of Ahijh,   of the Tribe of Issachar  ruled from 908-885 BCE,  killed all of Jeroboam's family; made war on Asa of Judah in alliance with Ben-Hadad of Aram(Syria)  who changed sides so Baasha was defeated and ceded territory.  

4. Elah, son of Baasha,  only ruled from 866-885 BCE,  murdered by captain of chariots, Zimri when Israel fought Philistinian city Gibbethon.  

5. Zimri only ruled in the year 887 BCE for 7 days, General for Elah, Israel declared Omri king instead.  after 7 day reign, Zimri set his palace on fire and himself with it.

6. Omri ruled from 887-876 BCE, Elah's General, foraged Sidonian alliance ,subdued Moab, Assyrians called Israel  by his name; who besieged Tirah, capital, founder of a dynasty;

        Ahab and Jezebel     

7. Ahab, son  of Omri,  ruled from 876-853 BCE, wife was Jezebel, daughter of king of Sidon who introduced Baal worship, defeated Ben-Hadad of Damascus in battle;  killed fighting Damascus.  Palace excavated at Samaria.  

8. Ahaziah, son of Ahab, an Elijah said he was an idolator only ruled in 853 BCE

9. Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat,  ruled from 850-843 BCE, put brothers to death; wife was Athaliah who got him into Baal cult, then he spread it into Judah.  Edomites revolted, invasions of Philistines and Arabs came who plundered Jerusalem.  Died after long illness.  

10. Jehu ruled from 842-814.BCE, Commander-in-chief of Jehoram, then killed him and his family. Lost battles with Aram, paid tribute to Shalmaneser III of Assyria to get his protection, lost territory, his dynasty ruled for a century.     

11. Jehoahaz, son of Jehu,  ruled from 815-800 BCE, Aram reduced Israel  to a tributary restricting her army, controlled large tracts of land.  

12. Jehoash/Joash  ruled from 800-785 BCE, exploited weakness of Aram (Syria),captured Jerusalem, plundered the Temple, paid tribute to king of Assyria, reduced land to a vassaldom.    

13, Jeroboam II ruled from 785-745 BCE, did better, captured land from Joash, annexed Aramean towns, but was corrupt  with pursuit of pleasure and profit, so said prophets Hosea and Amos.

14. Zechariah, son of Jeroboam II,   died in 744 BCE, last king of house of Jehu, reigned 6 months, assassinated by Shallum.  

15. Shallum only ruled in 743 BCE, after 5 months he was killed by Menahem.  

16. Menahem ruled from 743-736 BCE, treated people brutally when they didn't open gates of Tiphsah, paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III invaded Syria and Israel.

17. Pekahiah ruled from 736-735 BCE, army wanted to fight against Assyria but he wouldn't go along with it so Pekah conspired against him.  

18. Pekah ruled from 735-730 BCE, from Giliad,?, Captain of army. Allied with Aram-Dammesek's Rezin, attacked Judah!  Murdered by Hoshea.                         

19. Hoshea ruled from 730-721(732-724) LAST RULER OF ISRAEL BCE. became king with Assyrian help; kingdom only around Mt. Ephraim.  Rebelled, put into prison by Shalmaneser who then captured Samaria.   Hoshea was the last monarch of the northern Kingdom of Israel. He did not have an Israelite successor . After the Assyrian Empire conquered the region and destroyed Samaria in 722 BCE, the territory fell under the direct rule of Assyrian kings like Shalmaneser V and subsequently Sargon II                    

This concluded 323 years of ruling as the country of Israel. Greeks and Romans will take over the land next. I was amazed at the failings of these kings after Solomon.  They just didn't get it right.  Wait till we look at Judah and see how that Tribe did.  

February 1953 with Wes, student at Reed and me, student at Lewis & Clark colleges in Portland, OR.  

   My son taking me hiking a few years ago in about 2021 evidently at Multnomah Falls.  I'm using a cane.  

Here the USA is enjoying their 250 years as a country, a milestone.  We can look back and see how far we've come in every which way.  So can the ancient Israelites, a line of 323 years of rule to celebrate before taken by the Assyrians.   Our line of Israel was 73 years longer than the USA timeline, back to 1953 when my son was born and here I am at age 92-almost by 2 months more.  Times have changed since then, I can verify.  

Our forefathers were obviously thinking of Israel's days of Saul, David and Solomon and what they had tried to teach to their people with the prophets at hand.  The struggles they went through were remembered and Israel II appeared on May 14, 1948 in Jerusalem once more with more understanding of their role in the world.  

Resource:

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

                                                              

Miss Israel 2026 And The Trump Universe Contests

 Nadene Goldfoot                                        

Melanie Shiraz,  Miss Israel, born November 13, 1998 in Israel age 27, with the 2026 competition that has been heavily delayed and thrown into controversy after she accused the U.S.-based pageant organizers of attempting to predetermine a winner and stage a "fake" crowning ceremony. She is a data scientist and tech entrepreneur.  She's smart and after hearing her conversation on ISIL, when she was interviewed, wouldn't want any other woman to have this position.  She has seen through what's been happening. Her education has been at Univ. of Calif, Berkeley, and Tel Aviv Univ.  She wants Jews to be proud of who they are, and right now are being attacked for who they are.  Lebanon has been thrown up in our faces time and again.  

                   Melanie in 2025 Miss Universe Contest

Melanie Shiraz Asor is an Israeli beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Israel in 2025. She represented Israel at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant,  which took place on 21 November 2025 in Thailand .  She had been living in Miami as well as Israel and stated that Miss Israel should be someone from Israel that could speak Hebrew, and that wasn't the idea of the organizers of Trump  who had been running Miss Universe Contests for many years.  

The US-based organizers of the Miss Israel pageant were planning to appoint a winner of their choosing this year without the involvement of independent judges or holding a full-on pageant, the current titleholder, Melanie Shiraz, said this past week.

The accusation, backed up by video evidence, came alongside other charges from Shiraz, including that non-Israeli contestants had been encouraged to apply and acquire Israeli citizenship later, meaning that the contest would have little connection to Israel, despite Miss Israel representing the Jewish state on a major global platform.  She had left her start-up to enter the contest and felt she was helping Israel this way.  She has been in the midst of terrible antiSemitic slander that that she has tried to correct.  

 "My path didn’t start and end with technology. At Berkeley, I was deeply involved in Jewish and Israel advocacy on campus—standing up for my community, making the case for Israel and learning how to tell a story in rooms where it wasn’t always welcome. That experience taught me resilience, conviction and the importance of representation. Those lessons stayed with me long after I left the campus quad and entered the startup world."

The allegations sparked a public dispute between Shiraz and the Miss Israel organization, which cut her off on Friday.

    Nadeen Ayoub, Palestinian model, trashing Israel, incidently, there is no Palestine as of this date.  No country of Palestine.  

Shiraz has been targeted with online abuse since being named Miss Universe Israel. She has criticized Nadeen Ayoub for using her platform to spread falsehoods about the October 7 attacks and the Gaza War.  Nadeen Ayoub is a Palestinian model, and beauty pageant titleholder. As Miss Universe Palestine 2025, she was the first representative of Palestine at Miss Universe 2025, where she reached the top 30.

            Donald Trump in 2012 at Trump Tower with ladies

Donald Trump co-owned and held the Miss Universe Organization (which also included Miss USA and Miss Teen USA) from 1996 to 2015 . He purchased the pageants from ITT Corp and eventually sold the organization to WME/IMG in September 2015 .  WME/IMG owned and operated the Miss Universe Organization from September 2015 through October 2022. During this "Endeavor/IMG Era" , the talent agency transitioned the pageant's image away from superficiality toward empowering female leadership, eventually selling the organization to JKN Global Group.

   JKN Global Group is a Thai multinational media, content distribution, and consumer products conglomerate. Founded in 2014 by CEO Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, the firm previously owned major brands like the Miss Universe Organization . The company has faced severe financial and legal turmoil in recent years, culminating in its delisting from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. 

Resource: but continuation below resources:

https://www.jns.org/opinion/melanie-shiraz/why-i-left-tech-entrepreneurship-to-become-miss-israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/miss-israel-says-this-years-contest-will-be-bogus-sparking-break-with-organizers/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Shiraz#:~:text=Melanie%20Shiraz%20Asor%20(Hebrew%3A%20%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%99&text=is%20an%20Israeli%20beauty%20pageant,21%20November%202025%20in%20Thailand.

Shiraz was born in Israel. She is the daughter of Israeli commentator Estee Shiraz.Shiraz has been targeted with online abuse since being named Miss Universe Israel. She has criticized Nadeen Ayoub for using her platform to spread falsehoods about the October 7 attacks and the Gaza War.The family moved to the United States when Melanie was young. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a double degree in Data Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. She was also involved in Chabad, the campus Jewish Student Union, and Hillel. She returned to Israel shortly after graduating. After working in Silicon Valley, she earned an MBA at Tel Aviv University and co-founded a fintech startup in London.