New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- A brief moment at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand has gone viral. Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz and Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub stood side by side on stage. An alleged exchange between the two has flared up social media.

Both contestants have lived in the United States as well as in their home regions. Melanie Shiraz was born in Israel and later lived in Florida and California. She studied at the University of California, Berkeley. She currently lives in Tel Aviv.

Nadeen Ayoub was born in Michigan to Palestinian parents. She grew up in Ramallah, later moved to Canada, and now lives in Dubai.

Netizens erupted when Shiraz turned toward Ayoub. Some users accused Melanie of giving Nadeen a "dirty look." A clip of t...