Leifer delaying extradition hearing

JERUSALEM – Almost a year after arresting alleged sexual abuser Malka Leifer, Israeli authorities are hardly closer to extraditing her to Australia to face charges.

To the dismay of Israeli state lawyers, Leifer, former principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, keeps delaying extradition hearings with health-related requests. A hearing was scheduled for this Wednesday but there were concerns it would be postponed again.

Leifer fled to her native Israel from Australia in 2008, following complaints from several former students in her care that she had acted inappropriately.

She is currently a co-defendant, along with the Adass Israel School, in a civil lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Victoria, alleging that she sexually abused a number of female students at the school while she was principal. A judgment by Justice Jack Rush is expected soon.

Leifer spent a month in police custody after her arrest in Israel in August, and was then released to house arrest in Bnei Brak, where she wears an electronic tag and has around-the-clock supervision from friends or family. She is located away from her family home in the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel, as the infrastructure for monitoring electronic tags does not work in settlements.

But while this arrangement was meant to be temporary, pending extradition, the proceedings for extradition have become stuck, The AJN has learned. Leifer makes requests for hearings to be delayed, and the Jerusalem District Court agrees.

A source familiar with the case said that she expects to see it move along, but noted that “technically it could be delayed indefinitely.” Israel is looking for “creative ways” to enforce the extradition order, considering it to be “in everybody’s best interests,” the source said.

If the extradition hearing does take place and a decision is reached, an appeal will be likely – either by the state if the extradition is rejected or by Leifer if her return to Australia is approved.

NATHAN JEFFAY

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