Israel criticizes Nobel Peace Prize for Navi Pillay as EU leaders welcome choice

Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay, the former UN high commissioner for human rights and former International Criminal Court judge. In remarks issued October 9, the ministry said the prize was being used to legitimize hatred and prejudice against Israel. [ 2 , 3 ]

Pillay chaired an independent commission established by the UN Human Rights Council. In September 2025, the commission published a report concluding that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly rejected that report. Sankei Shimbun reported that the commission examined human rights violations in the Gaza conflict since October 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The Nobel committee's chair responded that the report belonged to the UN investigative commission and that the Nobel committee was not a court, Mainichi Shimbun reported. He said the committee was not in a position to determine whether Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. [ 2 ]

Israel's prime minister's office also issued a statement October 9 criticizing the choice. It said the Nobel committee had lost its moral compass and alleged that Pillay had built her career by spreading false accusations against Israel, TBS NEWS DIG reported. The office further alleged that ICC chief prosecutor Khan had used false information spread by Pillay to pursue unfounded prosecutions against Israel. [ 6 ]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the decision in a social media post October 9, praising Pillay's lifelong commitment to justice, peace and human dignity. European Council President António Costa also welcomed the award, saying it was timely as international law faced increasing pressure, Asahi Shimbun reported. [ 5 ]