Nobel Prize in the Spotlight: The Candidates for the 2024 Peace Prize

Three decades after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the architects of the now-failed Oslo Accords, the ongoing unrest in the Middle East is drawing attention to this year's candidates. Among them are UN organizations that are directly involved in the current conflict. Experts consider the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as favorites, both of which have played a role in the aftermath of the Hamas attack. The Middle East issue has occupied a significant place in peace efforts for years, yet it remains largely unresolved and intransigent. Not all nominations follow clear logic: names like the controversial tech mogul Elon Musk and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can also be found on the list. However, Henrik Urdal from the Peace Research Institute Oslo sees clear chances for UNRWA. This organization is significant for its humanitarian work with civilians suffering under the Gaza conflict. Much criticism has come from Israel towards UNRWA, especially after some of its staff were dismissed for involvement in attacks. Western donor countries have also suspended support. While the UN agency condemns the attacks, significant losses in personnel and infrastructure have been reported since the conflict began. Urdal emphasizes that an award for UNRWA does not constitute political endorsement of Hamas. UNRWA provides essential services such as education and health for Palestinians, yet it is also criticized for potentially perpetuating rather than resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. The International Court of Justice is also considered a potential laureate; it recently instructed Israel to take measures against genocidal actions in Gaza. Such a decision could provoke controversies similar to those that have occurred with previous prizes. Another candidate is UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has been criticized by Israel for his restraint in condemning Iranian attacks. According to historian Asle Sveen, the Peace Prize could also go to Guterres, though political tensions would be inevitable. The region has accounted for a fifth of the laureates for years, with many of these awards illustrating the political complexity of the area. While some Nobel prizes, like the one to the Camp David Accords signatories, have had lasting effects, others, such as the one to Yasser Arafat, have gone down in history as controversial decisions. The upcoming Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded at a time of heightened tensions, as Israel intensifies its attacks on Hezbollah and prepares for an escalation with Iran. Henrik Urdal concludes by noting that the Nobel Peace Prize is no panacea—it is significant but not capable of enforcing peace.