In a bold move, beauty queens from Israel and Iraq posed for a picture together while attending this year's Miss International Beauty Pageant in Japan.

The contestants from the two countries, which have no diplomatic relations, decided to come together for the picture that was posted to Miss Israel Adar Gandelsman’s Instagram account.

Ms Gandelsman introduced her fellow beauty queen contestant to her followers by saying: “Get to know, this is Miss Iraq and she's amazing.”

The post was shared more than 2,000 times on social media.

Sarah Idan, this year’s Miss Iraq, made a similar statement on her Instagram feed.

She said: “Peace and love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel.”

Ms Idan’s decision to pose alongside her Israeli contestant is a brave move, because last year’s Miss Lebanon, Amanda Hanna, was stripped of her title in August for visiting Israel on an academic trip.

The previous year Lebanese beauty queen Sally Greige was threatened with losing her Miss Lebanon status because she posted a selfie that featured Miss Israel.

Ms Greige was forced to say she did not mean to take a picture with the Israeli beauty queen in order to keep her crown.