Israel condemns Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize; Palestinian Authority welcomes it

Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the choice of Navi Pillay for the Nobel Peace Prize on October 9, while the Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision. The ministry accused the Nobel committee of legitimizing anti-Israel hatred and prejudice. The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry described the award as recognition of efforts to defend international law and justice. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]

Pillay, a South African jurist who served among the International Criminal Court's first judges, led a UN Human Rights Council commission that concluded in September 2025 that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel strongly rejected the report. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that the 72-page document drew on investigations covering October 7, 2023, through July 31, 2025. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]

Newsis reported that the commission concluded four of the five acts specified in the Genocide Convention had occurred: killing members of the group, causing serious physical or mental harm, imposing living conditions that would bring about its destruction and measures to prevent births. The outlet noted that this was the commission's finding and should be distinguished from a court judgment. [ 6 ]

In its criticism of the award, Israel's Foreign Ministry invoked Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and alleged that Pillay had spread false genocide claims. Israel's prime minister's office separately accused the Nobel committee of losing its moral compass and Pillay of spreading false accusations against Israel. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]

The Palestinian Authority said Pillay's commission had helped investigate and document allegations of genocide, sexual violence and attacks on children in Gaza, Chosun Ilbo reported. Newsis reported that Palestinian Authority deputy foreign minister Omar Awadallah described the prize as an award for survivors and victims of genocide and apartheid. [ 5 , 6 ]