Nobel Peace Prize, reactions to Navi Pillay's award. Israel: "Goebbels applauds from hell"

The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo could not fail to arouse different reactions from the international community. The South African activist and jurist has dedicated her life to the defense of human rights, she was a judge of the International Criminal Court between 2003 and 2008 and High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. Before that, between 1999 and 2003, she was President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. But it is his latest and most recent commitment at the helm of the independent UN Commission for Gaza, which accused Israel of genocide, that is causing the most discussion.

The reaction of the Israeli government was not long in coming and came very harshly with a harsh attack signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Pillay is not an act of justice, but the grotesque exploitation of a recognition to legitimize hatred and prejudice against Israel - we read in the statement -. Now that the Nobel commission has rewarded the biggest lie of the 21st century, Joseph Goebbels is certainly applauding from hell". And again: "If there was a prize for lies, hatred and defamatory accusations, Pillay would be the clear favourite. Her role in the relentless, politically motivated demonization of Israel and the promotion of accusations of genocide is eloquent."

The statement released by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is diametrically opposed, according to which the Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay "represents a recognition and reaffirmation of the fact that human rights, the rule of law, justice and responsibility are fundamental elements for everything: for peace, security and prosperity". For Türk, "it is a moment of great pride for the global movement in defense of human rights. I warmly congratulate Navi. To say that the award is deserved is an understatement." For the High Commissioner, at a time when human rights are "under attack on many fronts, including by those who hold enormous power, this recognition takes on a particularly profound meaning. It is an award dedicated to all those who, in every part of the world, dedicate their lives to the defense of human rights, often putting their own security at serious risk". Navi Pillay, he added, "embodies international law, having held numerous positions both in South Africa and internationally: as a judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice." Türk concluded: "Thank you, Navi. Continue to be a source of inspiration for us and millions of other people. We will prevail," he said.

Applause also from the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: "She is a well-known South African jurist who has dedicated her life to pursuing impunity and defending the weak against the powerful - said Sanchez in a post on