Israeli court ruling clears way for extradition of alleged child sex abuser
Jerusalem An Israeli court has ruled that a former Melbourne schoolteacher wanted on paedophilia charges in Australia is fit to stand trial for extradition.
The ruling on Tuesday in the Jerusalem district court capped a years-long legal battle in the case of Malka Leifer, a former educator who is accused of sexually abusing former students.
Malka Leife (right) in court in Jerusalem in 2018.Credit:AP
"Celebration," said Manny Waks, an advocate for the victims, wrote on Facebook in a live blog from the courtroom. "Goosebumps throughout my body."
Dassi Elrich, one of three Australian sisters who have accused Leifer of abuse, wrote on Twitter that the judge’s ruling was a “huge” moment in a campaign to bring Ms Leifer to face court in Victoria.
"OMG!!!" she wrote. “Too many emotions to process!!!”
A press conference will be held on Wednesday morning with former Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu, who has been involved in the matter, and local Jewish MPs Labor's Josh Burns and Liberal David Southwick, according to Ms Elrich.
Nicole Meyer and Dassi Erlich, alleged victims of Malka Leifer.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Ms Leifer, 52, is facing extradition to Australia on 74 charges of sexually assaulting female students during her time at the ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel school in Elsternwick in Melbourne's south-east.
The ex-principal fled to Israel in 2008 after the allegations first emerged. The process to extradite her has stalled several times since charges were laid in 2013.
Premier Daniel Andrews met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018 telling him the only just outcome was for Ms Leifer to face a jury of her peers.
Adass Israel Girls School in Melbourne was ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in damages to Ms Leifer's alleged victims in 2015.
In 2016, an Israeli judge found Ms Leifer mentally unfit to face extradition to Australia and she was set free.
But she was arrested in February last year after an undercover police investigation revealed she was leading a "normal life" and going about normal daily activities in the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Emmanuel.
The legal wrangle to bring her before an Australian court has caused a diplomatic strain between the allies.
Leifer's lawyers had challenged a finding by a psychiatric panel that she was fit to stand trial.
Her accusers expect the latest decision to clear the way for a quick extradition to Australia.
AP