Cohanim Criticizes Nobel Committee, Citing Hamas Praise for Navi Pillay

Ellie Cohanim, a former U.S. deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, criticized the Nobel committee in an October 11 post about its award to Navi Pillay. Cohanim said Hamas had congratulated Pillay and called the committee’s choice a disgrace. Her criticism followed the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s October 9 announcement naming Navanethem “Navi” Pillay the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The committee said it recognized her efforts to promote peace and international law. Its announcement also identified Pillay’s previous role chairing the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.