Nobel Peace Prize awarded to anti-Israeli jurist from South Africa

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navi Pillay, a South African jurist who served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Norwegian committee chose Pillay, known for her sharp criticism of Israel and allegations of war crimes, against the backdrop of her human rights advocacy. The prize, worth 12 million Swedish kronor, was awarded at a ceremony in Oslo.

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today (Friday) in Oslo to Navi Pillay, a South African jurist. Pillay served as the fifth UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and as a judge on the International Criminal Court. The Norwegian committee chose Pillay, known for her sharp criticism of the State of Israel and allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This year's prize is worth 12 million Swedish kronor, approximately $1.2 million. Among this year's nominees was also US President Donald Trump, who received a second consecutive nomination. The previous winner, Maria Corina Machado, leader of the opposition in Venezuela, won the prize last year. Nobel Prize week opened with the Medicine Prize, and continued with the Physics, Chemistry, and Literature prizes. The winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics will be announced on Monday.