Interview with Adila Hassim, counsel for South Africa versus Israel before the ICJ

Dr Adila Hassim in conversation with senior advocate Anand Grover on South Africa versus Israel case in the International Court of Justice.

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IN this exclusive interview, South African advocate Dr Adila Hassim, who was a member of the South African legal team that brought Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the ongoing genocide in Gaza, speaks at length with senior advocates before the Supreme Court of India Anand Grover and Indira Jaising on various aspects of the ICJ's verdict in the case and the way forward.

Anand Grover: Adila, welcome to The Leaflet. First of all, congratulations to you for a great victory. My first question to you is, what is your reaction to the Order of January 26, 2024, of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Adila Hassim: My immediate reaction at the time when we were gathered and we were listening to the judgment was, it was quite an overwhelming response.

It was sort of emotionally overwhelming. I think that my nerves were more frayed in anticipation of the judgment than they were before appearing in the International Court of Justice. So it was a very nervous sort of anticipation. You know, the judgment, is in my view, an excellent one. 

We think that this was a just outcome. We are very satisfied with the outcome. What happens next, of course, there is a lot to be said about that. But it was a just outcome.

Anand Grover: What made South Africa initiate the action in the International Court of Justice? What is your view and what is the view of the South African government itself?

Adila Hassim: So let me begin with the view of the South African government because it is the South African government that brought the case. The president of South Africa, President Ramaphosa, has issued a statement.