Borrell: ICC-Wanted Netanyahu Nominates Trump, Top Arms Supplier Behind Gaza Ethnic Cleansing, For Nobel Peace Price

Josep Borrell, former EU foreign policy chief, has sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent move to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Borrell denounced the nomination, calling it an outrageous act by“a wanted war criminal” endorsing the main supplier of arms used in an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Netanyahu formally submitted the nomination letter during a meeting with Trump at the White House on Monday, July 8. The meeting marked a significant symbolic gesture amid continued international scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza.

In a statement on X, Borrell wrote,“A war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court is nominating his biggest arms supplier-who has helped enable the largest ethnic cleansing in the region since WWII-for the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The nomination drew widespread backlash, particularly from human rights advocates, as Trump remains a polarizing figure in global diplomacy. Netanyahu's move appears to be a political endorsement that aligns closely with U.S. military support for Israel during its ongoing campaign in Gaza.

Earlier in June, the government of Pakistan also nominated Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan during his presidency. Islamabad's endorsement, however, was framed as recognition of a specific diplomatic act rather than recent military support.

Since October 2023, Gaza has endured relentless military operations led by Israel following Hamas's attack. The offensive, characterized by widespread bombings and ground incursions, has led to tens of thousands of civilian casualties, displacement of over 1.5 million people, and the destruction of hospitals, schools, and UN shelters.

International rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised alarms over potential war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently pursuing warrants against Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, for crimes against humanity.

The conflict in Palestine has reignited global debates on military aid, international justice, and the credibility of peace awards like the Nobel Prize. Amid growing international condemnation, symbolic gestures like Netanyahu's nomination of Trump only add to the polarization and scrutiny surrounding both leaders' roles in the crisis.

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