Gaza, Dec 21- West Bank authorities have indefinitely postponed the Miss Palestine-2009 beauty pageant.

The event was scheduled to take place Dec 26 in the West Bank, controlled by the moderate Fatah movement. Its goal was to show a different, non-political face of the region, the authorities in Ramallah have said in a statement.

Officials of the rival Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, condemned the decision as a sign of "moral degradation in the West Bank" and said they were "set to bring to justice all who damage the reputation of our people".

The contest was postponed "in respect for the first anniversary of the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip" late last year, which left some 1,400 Palestinians dead.

A total of 58 young women were chosen to take part in the competition, including 26 Arab-Israelis and 32 beauties from the West Bank. No contestants from the isolated Gaza Strip submitted their applications. The winner was to receive a new car, a 10-day trip to Turkey, and $2,700 in cash.