ADDIS ABABA: It has quickly become the talk of the city. As Miss Israel Yityish “Titi” Aynaw became the first Ethiopian-born winner in Israel, Ethiopians have quickly taken to praising the woman and are prideful of her achievement, especially as controversy over Ethiopian immigrants in Israel continues to make headlines. Ethiopia's myriad newspapers, online sites, television and radio stations have taken up the story and have called it one of the best positive achievements for the country in recent years. The Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a press release about the beauty pageant and the precedent set by its winner. The Embassy is planning to use the win as part of a PR campaign for Israel, which will include posting Aynaw's pictures on billboards across Ethiopia. “It is really great and I am proud of her for what she has done,” 17-year-old Nasseeba told Bikyanews.com as she watched a report on Aynaw on the national broadcaster. “She is an Ethiopian woman and she is special.” The Embassy intends on inviting Aynaw to the traditional Independence Day reception as the guest of honor from Israel. The Embassy is also marketing the victory of Ethiopian athletes in the Jerusalem marathon– with another positive reference to Israel. Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Belaynesh Zevadia, who set a precedent herself by becoming the first Israeli ambassador of Ethiopian descent, said: “I welcome the selection of a beautiful girl of Ethiopian descent. “It's heartwarming to see Israel and the world exposed to the beauty of the Ethiopian community in Israel. It is a beautiful community in every sense of the word.” It does, however, come on the heels of controversy surrounding the Israeli government's forced sterilization of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, which has seen an investigation launched by the government to get behind what has been happening to women in the country. BN
