Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Navi Pillay sparks fierce backlash over anti-Israel bias accusations

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has given the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, 85, recognising her work advancing international law and pursuing accountability for those responsible for war crimes and genocide. Jewish advocacy groups and UN watchdogs swiftly condemned the choice, alleging that the South African jurist has shown a deep-rooted bias against Israel. Pillay responded sharply, describing US actions against the International Criminal Court as 'negative and cruel'.

Anne Bayefsky of Human Rights Voices accused Pillay of 'perverting legal and universal standards to demonize Jewish self-determination', calling the award 'a testament to human wrongs'.