Weiss heads the radical Nachala settlement organisation and calls for the complete annexation of the occupied West Bank and resettlement of the war-torn Gaza Strip, once inhabited by settlers before Israel left the enclave in 2005.

Like many extremist Israeli leaders, her inciteful language against the Palestinians has led to violent settler attacks.

Two professors from Israel’s Ariel University and Ben-Gurion University submitted Weiss’ candidacy for the award for her “decades-long efforts in strengthening Jewish communities and promoting regional stability”.