Judge Navi Pillay, who accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza, wins Nobel Peace Prize

South African Judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize thanks to her fight against war crimes and her defense of international law, as noted by the organizing committee.

"This year's laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are prosecuted," said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, speaking about Pillay during a gala held in Oslo.

Pillay rose to prominence after co-chairing the commission of inquiry launched by United Nations (U.N.) to accuse Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, when Benjamin Netanyahu's government was merely defending itself against attacks and assaults carried out by terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Currently, Pillay, 85, serves as a judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case in which Myanmar is accused of genocide.

Trump: No prize

Pillay's nomination for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize meant that Donald Trump misses out on the award, even though he had been calling for it in recent weeks.

"I don't know what their decision is going to be," the president said a few days ago about the committee that awards the prize. "They have a reputation for maybe not giving it to people like me."

Trump also recalled the moment when María Corina Machado dedicated the Nobel Peace Prize to him, which the Venezuelan opposition leader received last year.

"I was very honored to receive it indirectly last time by the recipient, who said nobody in history deserves it more than President Trump," the president said.