NomiNated for Nobel
abu dhabi — His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021.
The nomination was made in recognition of their contribution in reaching the historic peace accord between the UAE and Israel, according to the Israeli premier’s office.
“Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lord David Trimble today submitted the candidacy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Nobel Peace Prize, together with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said in a statement dated November 24, as quoted by Sputnik.
Trimble, former first minister of Northern Ireland, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his endeavours in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in his country. Being a Nobel laureate, he holds the privilege to nominate others for the prize. The Nobel Prize Committee will review the nominations of Sheikh Mohamed and Netanyahu.
In September, US President Donald Trump was nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for helping broker the landmark Abraham Peace Accord between the UAE and Israel. Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian parliament, nominated Trump.
Sheikh Mohamed, Netanyahu, and Trump had issued a joint statement on August 13, announcing that they have agreed to the full normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel.
Calling it a historic breakthrough, they said the deal would advance peace in the Middle East and serve as a testament to the ‘bold diplomacy and vision’ of the three leaders.
The winner of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize — to be selected by a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament — will not be announced until October next year.
Nominations for the world’s most prestigious award must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by February 1.
These can be made by a select group of people and organisations, including national lawmakers, heads of state, previous laureates, professors in some fields, and certain international institutions.
In 2020, the committee received 318 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. The winner was the UN World Food Programme.