Trump lashes out as praise pours in for Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay, with Israel criticising the choice

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026.

South African jurist Navi Pillay, 85, has won the Nobel Peace Prize for decades of work in international justice, drawing a sharp reaction from Trump and disappointment from Israel even as human rights advocates worldwide celebrated the award. Pillay serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice and previously headed the UN's human rights body. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the honour allowed the world "to celebrate the progressive contributions she has made to strengthen peace." UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk called it "particularly poignant" at a time when rights "are under attack on so many fronts."

Pillay helped defend Nelson Mandela and her career encompassed investigations into atrocities committed in Rwanda, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.