Herzog calls Nobel Peace Prize winner choice affront to peace-loving people at Medal of Honor award

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay is an "affront to any life-affirming, peace-loving people,” President Isaac Herzog announced during his own awarding of the Presidential Medal of Honor to Israel Bonds on Monday.

“Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to one of the leading proponents of the genocide lie is a cynical decision which celebrates a shameful display of moral erosion," he added.

Herzog also marked the explosion of a Hezbollah bomb earlier in the day which had killed one teenager and injured several dozen others.

“We gather here today under the heavy shadow of a grave and heartbreaking tragedy unfolding in the north of our country," he began his statement at the award ceremony. "Before all else, I wish to offer our prayers for the swift and full recovery of all those who were injured, and to embrace them and their loved ones on behalf of the entire people of Israel.”

While awarding the Medal of Honor to Israel Bonds, Herzog praised the organization for its work in developing Israel's economy after the October 7 massacre, saying that it had raised $1 billion in the first month after October 7, and another $8.5 billion since.

"Over the past 75 years, more than $58 billion dollars’ worth of Israel bonds have been purchased around the world, solidifying Israel’s long-term standing in the global market, and demonstrating the trust investors have in Israel," he said. "And we have repaid that trust, never once defaulting, as I am certain we will continue to do.”

Israel Bonds leaders thank Herzog for Medal of Honor

Dani Naveh, Israel Bonds Global President & CEO, said after receiving the award that it was an extraordinary honor, but that it also carried a responsibility.

"This medal carries with it the weight of generations," he said. "We accept it with humility, knowing that we do so only as representatives of a remarkable organization founded 75 years ago. Our powerful message is that, in times of need, our beloved Jewish homeland will never be alone.”

Dr. Andrew M. Hutter, Israel Bonds’ US and International Chairman of the Board of Directors, also thanked Herzog for the medal, saying “Mr. President, we accept this medal not for any one person in this room, but on behalf of every single investor who has ever purchased a bond, who has ever believed in the Jewish State, who has ever said, with their own money, I stand with Israel, I believe in its future. This medal belongs to them.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner draws international ire from Israel supporters

Awarding the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Pillay has drawn sharp criticism from both Israel and the US.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the decision by calling Pillay a “bigot” and the prize committee “misguided.”

“The Nobel Prize committee has lost its moral compass,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote on X/Twitter. “It has awarded its highest honor to a bigot who built her career around inventing and propagating blood libels against the only Jewish state.”

Jerusalem Post Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.