Christian Porter discusses Leifer case with Manny Waks in Tel Aviv

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Australia’s Attorney-General Christian Porter has met with child sexual abuse advocate Manny Waks in Tel Aviv to discuss the interminable Malka Leifer the former Adass Yisroel principal facing 74 charges of child sexual abuse in Melbourne.

Tim Wellington (Chief of Staff, Attorney-General), (Ambassador of Australia to Israel), Christian Porter, and Manny Waks (CEO, Kol v’Oz)

Joining the meeting was Australia’s ambassador to Israel Chris Cannan and the A-G’s chief of staff.

On Facebook Waks thanked Mr Porter for his and the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment in support of Malka Leifer’s victims, and for doing everything within their power to ensure justice prevails in this case.

Manny Waks posted: “While Australia cannot interfere with the judicial process of another country, I encouraged Mr Porter to at least highlight this case with his Israeli counterparts due to the ongoing, unconscionable fiasco that has been on display, culminating in last week’s farce during hearing number 62.

Finally, and most importantly, I urged Mr Porter to consider what action may be taken against members of the Adass Israel leadership in Australia, who were found guilty in a civil case in Australia of deliberately facilitating Leifer’s escape from justice. I noted that many of the current Adass leaders are the same leaders who made the fateful 2008 decision to help Leifer escape to Israel, which raises concerns regarding the safety and well-being of the children there today.

Chris Cannan, Christian Porter and Manny Waks

I also asked Mr Porter to consider auditing the school to ensure it meets child safety requirements, including in the context of providing staff and children with appropriate child protection standards and training.

Besides from potential criminal action against those Adass leaders who may have knowingly aided and abetted a suspected criminal to evade justice, I also noted that the Government provides significant funding to the school, which should be reconsidered in the context of any findings.

Mr Porter committed to following up regarding the civil case decision and its possible implications.”

Attorney-General Christian Porter told J-Wire: “Today I met with the Minister for Justice and the Attorney-General regarding the Leifer extradition.

I reaffirmed the Australian government’s continued interest in that extradition being resolved. I gratefully appreciate the discussion with the Minister and respect that due process within the Israel court system will continue.  But I was greatly encouraged by the Minister’s clear resolve to see this matter through to its ultimate conclusion in accordance with Israeli law.

Regarding Mr Waks comments on the Adass School, any question of accessorial liability is ultimately a matter for the Victorian state authorities. In my meeting with Mr Waks he requested that I look at the outcome of a relevant civil case in Australia as a matter of general background to the issue which I undertook to do.”

Waks further stated: “From my perspective, Adass has had an excessive amount of time to take responsibility for their immoral action and to get its house in order – however, they have demonstrated an unwillingness or inability to do so. In fact, they have not demonstrated any genuine desire to rectify the past and to change. It’s way past time that they are held to full account – for justice and to deter others from repeating such unconscionable behaviour.”

One of the victims of Leifer’s alleged assaults Dassi Erlich along with her two sisters has spearheaded the campaign to extradite her to Australia. She told J-Wire: “We sat down with Christian porter several weeks ago during out visit to Canberra. It’s great that Manny has followed up with him and continued to raise these important issues with him.”