Navi Pillay, a former judge at the International Criminal Court, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognizes her decades-long advocacy for human rights and her role in leading a United Nations report that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Pillay, who is 85 years old, has spent her career fighting against apartheid and promoting international justice.
Pillay’s work with the United Nations included overseeing a commission that issued a report in 2025 stating that Israel was committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The report, which was widely criticized by some governments, became a key part of her nomination for the Nobel Prize. Pillay has also been a vocal supporter of Nelson Mandela and has served as a judge in multiple international courts, including The Hague.
Pillay’s win has drawn strong reactions, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly denounced her as an “unabashed hater of America.” Trump re-posted a statement criticizing the Nobel Committee for selecting Pillay, accusing the award of being politically motivated. Despite the backlash, Pillay has expressed her gratitude, dedicating the prize to survivors of international crimes and calling on people to stand together in defense of the rule of law.
Pillay’s career has been defined by her commitment to justice, especially in the context of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and her later work on international human rights issues. Her Nobel Prize is seen as a recognition of her efforts to hold powerful states accountable for alleged crimes against humanity.
