Noa Cochva is an Israeli model, beauty queen, combat medic, and public advocate who gained national attention after being crowned Miss Israel in 2021. She later represented Israel on the international stage and built a public profile that connects military service, medical training, and advocacy work.
Early life and personal background
Noa Cochva was born on 19 February 1999 in the Neve Savion neighbourhood of Yehud, Israel. She was raised on the nearby Bnei Atarot moshav, close to Tel Aviv. Her family background includes Libyan Jewish heritage. Her grandmother fled Tripoli during the 1948 war and later settled in Israel, shaping part of the family’s story of migration and resilience.
During childhood, Cochva faced a serious health challenge. She was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder that required repeated hospital stays over a period of about a year and a half. That experience left a lasting impact. Time spent in hospitals exposed her to medical teams and emergency care at a young age. She has said that these early encounters with illness played a key role in shaping her desire to pursue a path connected to saving lives.
Education and service in the IDF
After completing her schooling, Cochva enlisted in the Israel Defence Forces. She served as a combat medic, a role that required intensive training and the ability to operate in high-pressure environments. In this position, she provided emergency medical care to soldiers in the field and stabilised injuries before evacuation.
Her responsibilities expanded over time. She became a commander and instructor, training more than 160 soldiers in advanced medical techniques and emergency response procedures. This phase of her service combined leadership with clinical skills. It also allowed her to transform her personal experience with illness into professional competence. She has described her time in the military medical service as one of the most meaningful chapters of her life.
Professional training outside the military
Following her active military service, Cochva explored a different professional interest. She completed an eight-month program at a baking and pastry school in Israel. After finishing her training, she worked as a pastry chef at a restaurant in Yehud Monosson.
Her time in the culinary field was cut short when the restaurant closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many businesses in Israel and around the world, it was affected by restrictions and economic disruption. This period marked a transition point in her career and preceded her entry into national pageantry.
Miss Israel 2021 and international representation
In 2021, Cochva competed in the Miss Israel pageant and was crowned the winner, defeating more than 100 other candidates. The competition evaluated not only appearance but also communication skills, public presence, and personal achievements. Her background as a combat medic distinguished her from many other contestants.
As Miss Israel 2021, she represented the country at Miss Universe. During her international appearances, she spoke about Israeli culture, social diversity, and her dual identity as both a soldier and a medical professional. She presented her journey as an example of how strength can take different forms.
Cochva has described her experience using the phrases’ beauty’ and ‘bravery’. In her view, being a beauty queen and serving as a combat medic are not contradictory roles. She has argued that both require discipline, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. In this message, she aimed to challenge stereotypes about women in uniform and about beauty pageant contestants.
Noa Cochva represented Israel at Miss Universe 2021, held in Eilat, Israel. She competed alongside around 80 contestants from across the globe. While she completed all required segments of the competition, she did not advance to the final 16 and therefore did not move into the semifinal or final rounds.
The title that year was won by Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
How she performed at the pageant
Cochva participated as a full contestant in the preliminary rounds, which included stage presentations, interviews, and televised segments. Media coverage of the event confirmed that Israel’s delegate did not advance to the semifinal group. Her elimination occurred before the announcement of the top 16.
Although she did not place, her participation drew attention because of her background as a combat medic and commander in the Israel Defence Forces. This distinguished her from many other contestants and shaped the way she approached the competition.
In later interviews, Cochva explained that her goal extended beyond winning the crown. She described the pageant as an opportunity to present Israel’s society, diversity, and resilience to an international audience. She emphasised that she wanted to challenge stereotypes and show that a beauty queen could also be a trained medical professional and military leader.
In summary, Noa Cochva completed her run at Miss Universe 2021 as Israel’s official representative but did not reach the semifinal stage or receive a placement title.
Return to service during the Gaza conflict
On 7 October 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel triggered a new phase of military mobilisation. As a reservist, Cochva was called back to service. She spent approximately five months deployed near the Gaza border as a combat medic.
In that role, she treated wounded soldiers and civilians under demanding and often stressful conditions. The work required long hours and rapid decision-making. Her return to the field reinforced her identity as a medical professional first, even while she remained publicly associated with the Miss Israel title.
Public advocacy and international speaking
After completing her reserve service, Cochva expanded her public engagement. She began speaking widely in the United States and Canada. In these appearances, she addressed audiences about the Gaza conflict, antisemitism, and what she described as misinformation about Israel and the Israel Defence Forces.
Her advocacy work focuses on presenting her perspective on events and explaining her personal experience as both a soldier and a medic. She has framed this effort as a commitment to sharing factual accounts from the ground. In addition to political and security topics, she often discusses women’s empowerment and the importance of breaking social stereotypes.
Her speeches frequently draw on her life story. She references her childhood illness, her medical training, her military leadership, and her time as Miss Israel. This narrative arc allows her to connect themes of vulnerability, service, and public responsibility.
Recognition and public profile
Cochva has received recognition from organisations within Israel and the Jewish community abroad. She was named among the 25 ViZionaries young Zionists by The Jerusalem Post and the Jewish National Fund. This recognition highlighted her role as a younger public voice engaged in national and international advocacy.
She maintains an active presence on social media and serves as a keynote speaker at conferences and public events. Her content often centres on resilience, identity, and the intersection of service and representation. She shares reflections on her journey from a hospitalised child to a trained combat medic and national titleholder.
A public figure at the intersection of service and representation
Noa Cochva’s public image rests on the combination of several distinct roles. She has served in the Israeli military as a combat medic and instructor. She has represented Israel in an international beauty pageant. She has returned to reserve duty during a period of armed conflict. She now engages in public speaking and advocacy abroad.
These roles have positioned her as a figure who connects military service, humanitarian medicine, and international representation. Through her platform as a former Miss Israel, she continues to speak about medical professionalism, women’s leadership, and Israel’s position in global discussions.
Her story reflects the path of a public figure shaped by early health challenges, formal military service, and high-profile representation. As of 2026, she remains active as a speaker and advocate, drawing on her diverse experiences to address audiences both in Israel and internationally.
New York Incident
Former Miss Israel Noa Cochva was assaulted during a pro-Palestinian rally in New York’s Times Square on 30 March 2024 while she was advocating in support of Israel.
During the incident, Cochva and a small group of pro-Israel supporters were present in Times Square after observing a large pro-Palestinian demonstration. They began holding a counter-protest, displaying an Israeli flag and singing songs. According to her account and video footage from the scene, demonstrators noticed the Israeli flag, pulled it down, and confronted her group. One man struck her in the face with the edge of a protest sign, leaving her with a black eye.
Medical personnel treated Cochva at the scene in an ambulance. She later expressed frustration that police officers who were present did not immediately intervene or detain the individual who hit her. She stated that when an officer sees a woman being struck in the face, action should follow.
In the days after the incident, the New York Police Department’s initial records did not reflect a formal report. Authorities later confirmed the case after it received media attention. On 10 April 2024, Cochva decided to press criminal charges. As of mid 2024, the investigation was ongoing, and no arrests had been reported.
In summary, Cochva was struck in the face with a protest sign during the Times Square confrontation, sustained a visible injury, and pursued legal action over what she described as a politically motivated attack.
Latest development
As of the most recent public reporting, the New York Police Department investigation into the Times Square assault on Noa Cochva remains open. No arrests have been announced, and the case remains ongoing.
Following the incident, there was initial confusion when the NYPD stated that it had no report on file. The department later confirmed the details of the assault and clarified that the matter was being handled as an active investigation. Despite video footage circulating online, authorities have not publicly identified or charged a suspect, and the individual seen striking Cochva has not been taken into custody based on available updates.
On 10 April 2024, Cochva formally filed criminal charges, shifting the matter from a complaint to an official legal case. Since then, she has referenced the incident in public discussions about protest-related violence and antisemitism in New York. Her statements have linked the assault to broader concerns about safety and accountability during politically charged demonstrations.
As of late 2025 and early 2026, there have been no confirmed reports of an arrest or a formal closure of the case. Public information indicates that the investigation remains pending and unresolved.
In summary, the NYPD has acknowledged the assault and confirmed that the case is under investigation. However, no suspect has been publicly charged, and the matter remains open.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Noa Cochva’s personal life remains limited and largely positive in tone. There are no confirmed reports of past affairs, secret relationships, or personal scandals. Media coverage tends to focus on her advocacy work, military background, and public appearances rather than her private life.
Boyfriend and current relationship
As of late 2025 and into 2026, Israeli media reports describe Noa Cochva as living in New York with her partner, Sean Taplitzky. He is identified as a Jewish businessman whose mother is Israeli. Coverage refers to him as her boyfriend or long-term partner rather than a spouse.
According to interviews, the two met through a mutual acquaintance. Cochva has shared that their relationship developed quickly. She has noted that he travelled to Israel early in their relationship to see her, which she sees as supportive of her public commitments and advocacy work. In contrast to her high-profile role as a former Miss Israel and public speaker, he is portrayed as maintaining a lower public profile.
Marriage and public image of Noa Cochva
There are no credible reports or official announcements indicating that Noa Cochva is married. She is generally described as being in a committed but unmarried relationship.
In interviews and profiles, she tends to keep references to her romantic life brief. Her public messaging centres on her service as a combat medic in the Israel Defence Forces, her experience as Miss Israel 2021, and her advocacy activities abroad. Personal details about her relationship are mentioned occasionally, but are not central to her public identity.
In summary, as of 2026, Noa Cochva appears to be in a publicly acknowledged yet relatively private relationship with businessman Sean Taplitzky. She is not reported to be married, and there are no verified narratives of affairs or scandals involving her name.
Noa Cochva and her stance on the Iran-Israel-USA tensions
In recent months, Noa Cochva has been outspoken about tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. As a former Miss Israel and a combat medic in the Israel Defence Forces, she has positioned herself publicly as a pro-Israel advocate who challenges what she believes are misleading narratives about the conflict.
Support for Israel’s right to defend itself
Cochva has repeatedly argued that Israel has the right to defend itself against attacks linked to Iran-backed groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional militias. In her statements and social media posts, she has framed Israeli military actions as defensive measures aimed at protecting Israeli citizens rather than acts of aggression.
She has also connected the wider regional tensions to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, describing the broader conflict as a struggle over national security and the protection of Jewish communities.
Response to anti-Israel rhetoric
Cochva has strongly criticised slogans heard at some protests that target Israel or the Israel Defence Forces. She has described chants calling for violence against Israelis, Jews, or Americans as examples of modern antisemitism. In her commentary, she argues that some political protests blur the line between criticism of Israeli policy and hostility toward Jewish people.
Following joint military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran-linked targets during the 2025 to 2026 escalation period, she publicly expressed support for the partnership between the two countries. In one widely shared post, she praised the alliance and described the strikes as a stand against terrorism and regional destabilisation.
Concerns about escalation and misinformation
Although she supports Israel’s security actions, Cochva has also warned that misinformation and emotionally charged narratives can escalate tensions. In interviews and online commentary, she has said that distorted reporting and viral misinformation can inflame public anger and contribute to the risk of a broader regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and potentially the United States.
She argues that Israel should communicate its position more clearly to international audiences. According to her, sharing personal stories of Israeli civilians and soldiers may help counter misinformation and reduce hostility in global discourse.
Advocacy and personal risk
Cochva currently spends significant time in New York while speaking publicly about Israel and antisemitism. Her advocacy has sometimes exposed her to hostility. She has reported incidents of verbal abuse and threats while engaging with people at demonstrations or public discussions.
She often cites these experiences as evidence that outspoken support for Israel can attract antisemitic hostility even in democratic societies. In her speeches, she describes advocacy as a responsibility and encourages Jewish communities and supporters of Israel to speak openly against hate and misinformation.
Overall perspective
In essence, Noa Cochva approaches the Iran-Israel-USA tensions through a strongly pro-Israel and anti antisemitism perspective. She supports Israeli and American efforts to counter Iran-backed threats while also urging clearer communication, responsible public debate, and protection of Jewish communities around the world.