‘Israel’ slams Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Navi Pillay

The ‘Israeli’ Foreign Ministry attacked the Norwegian Nobel Committee following its decision to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to former UN Human Rights Chief Navanethem "Navi" Pillay.

Pillay, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who previously headed the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI). 

Last year, the commission concluded in a landmark report that genocide was occurring in Gaza. 

In her role with the COI, Pillay noted that her team had transferred "thousands of pieces of information" directly to prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

Currently serving as a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a genocide case involving Myanmar, Pillay has been "instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted," according to Nobel Committee Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes.

In a scathing response to the announcement, the foreign ministry criticized both the laureate and the committee:

"If there were an award for lies, hatred, and blood libels, Navi Pillay wouldn’t just be a contender. She’d be a frontrunner," the ministry stated, pointing to her "role in the relentless, politically motivated demonization of Israel and promotion of the genoLIE."

If there were an award for lies, hatred, and blood libels, Navi Pillay wouldn’t just be a contender. She’d be a frontrunner. Her role in the relentless, politically motivated demonization of Israel and promotion of the genoLIE speaks volumes. Awarding Pillay the Nobel Peace Prize isn’t a recognition of justice. It’s the grotesque weaponization of an award to legitimize anti-Israel hatred and prejudice. Now that the Nobel commission has rewarded the biggest lie of the 21st century, Joseph Goebbels is certainly applauding from hell.

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 9, 2026

The ministry added: "Now that the Nobel commission has rewarded the biggest lie of the 21st century, Joseph Goebbels is certainly applauding from hell."

The United Nations praised the award as testimony to the essential "value" of human rights. Defending their choice, the Nobel jury emphasized that Pillay is being honored at a time when "the system of international law is under tremendous pressure and its institutions are under attack."

The Norwegian Nobel Committee also said that she was honoured “for her efforts to promote peace and international law."

"At a time of existential challenges -- including more wars and conflicts than the world has seen in a long time -- international law is no longer just a supplement to peace and security. It is an absolute necessity," Frydnes stated during the announcement in Oslo.