The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Peace Prize to former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The South African jurist previously chaired a UN commission that found Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The award came hours before US sanctions on the ICC.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem Navi Pillay on Friday citing her long career advancing international law and prosecuting war crimes crimes against humanity and genocide. The 85-year-old South African former judge has served on the ICC the ICTR and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Pillay chaired a UN commission of inquiry that concluded last year Israel committed genocidal acts in Gaza a finding Israel rejected. Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said the award underscored the importance of international legal order under pressure. Pillay reacted from Nuremberg saying it must be a joke and joked about sharing the prize with Trump.
The prize is worth 12 million Swedish crowns. It will be presented in Oslo on December 10. Israel’s prime minister’s office condemned the decision saying the committee had lost its moral compass.
Pillay dedicated the award to survivors of international crimes. The timing coincided with separate US actions against the ICC where she once served as a judge.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Navi Pillay said if you clap a little more I may share this prize with Trump.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called it a profound tribute to her courage and integrity.