Philip Sands, a French-British lawyer and author, received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade on the final day of the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2026. This award was given to him for his ongoing efforts in the field of human rights and justice. The award ceremony was attended by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, and Sands was recognized as a committed humanitarian who tirelessly fights for human rights, justice, and mutual understanding despite increasing resistance.
Criticism of Germany's Silence
The jury for this award stated that Sands' work is based on a commitment to the universal rights of every human being. He is particularly recognized as a lawyer for victims of war crimes, racism, torture, and colonial injustices. In his acceptance speech, Sands criticized Germany and expressed dissatisfaction with the country's silence regarding Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized that human rights violations must be clearly named, especially among allies.
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Sands' History and Works
Philip Sands, who himself is from a Jewish family that was displaced during the German occupation in World War II from the city of Lviv (now in Ukraine), gained fame for his book "East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity," published in 2016. This work examines the lives of two Jewish lawyers, Hersch Lauterpacht and Raphael Lemkin, and the roots of international criminal law, and has been translated into dozens of languages.
Sands said in Frankfurt, "Germany knows everything about ethnic cleansing," and referenced many criticisms from various countries regarding Israel's treatment of Palestinians. He continued that silence is not a solution for a family, a community, or a country.
Sands also described the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, as "horrific" and "a massive crime against international legal norms," emphasizing Israel's right to defense, provided that this right is not unlimited and must be exercised within the frameworks of international law.
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