Miss Universe responds to criticism over the pageant being held in Israel, saying it's about 'embracing everyone'

• New Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu defended the pageant taking place in Israel amid its conflict with Palestine.
• "We come here to unite," she told Insider. "This is not where we should talk about disparities."

The Miss Universe pageant went ahead in Israel on Sunday after months of criticism amid the country's ongoing conflict with Palestine.

But Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, who won the coveted crown, told Insider that the pageant is "about embracing everyone around the world, especially women."

"We come here to unite and to share cultures," the 21-year-old said. "This is not where we should talk about disparities. It's something which talks about unity and inspiring each other."

"I'm actually enjoying myself and my journey in Israel because it's a beautiful country," she added.

Multiple contestants decided to boycott the 70th Miss Universe pageant — which took place in the resort town of Eilat — while others were called on to drop out.

Miss Malaysia and Miss Indonesia skipped the competition, and South Africa's government publicly encouraged Miss South Africa Lelela Mswane to follow suit.

"By withdrawing, Miss South Africa's reputation and overall standing will be far more advanced in South Africa and internationally in comparison to a once-off event that can prove disastrous to her future and public standing as a young black woman," Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's minister of sports, art, and culture, said in a statement obtained by CNN.

Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, also asked Mswane to boycott the pageant in multiple Instagram posts.

"There is nothing beautiful about occupation, brutality, and institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people," he said in a statement.

Mswane ultimately decided to compete in the pageant and took third place on Sunday night.

"If I had not come to Israel to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, I think I would have regretted it for the rest of my life," she told The Jerusalem Post. "Certain people have put me through hell and back. It has not been the easiest thing to deal with, but I choose to be optimistic."

Miss USA Elle Smith, who made it to the top 10 of the competition, also defended Miss Universe before the competition.

"We're here to empower each other as women," she told CNN. "We're just enjoying our time together and I think it's really showing the power of women as a whole."

As for Sandhu, the new Miss Universe told Insider she plans to focus on the pageant's motto of uniting women all around the world, as well as propel her own platform to break the stigma and silence around women's health and menstrual hygiene.

"Women in my community still feel uncomfortable talking about their health because they're taught that their health is not a priority," she told Insider. "Now it's my time to bring differences in society and break the stigma."