Malka Leifer: Hearing #51

 Email this story

Print

2 Comments

Malka Leifer is facing extradition from Israel to Melbourne where she is facing 74 charges of child sexual abuse. Today was hearing #51 in a case in which the defence claims the former principal is incapable of facing proceedings on psychiatric grounds.

Malka Leifer

In a closed court in Jerusalem, defence and prosecution lawyers were argued and discussed in front of Judge Lomp, which witnesses should provide their evidence in the extradition case in open court or alternatively via written testimonies.

Ultimately, it was agreed that today’s proposed witnesses would all provide their evidence via written testimonies.Hearing #52 was confirmed for this Wednesday 15 May at 12pm at the Jerusalem District Court.

Child sexual abuse advocate Manny Waks reports: “On the one hand, today’s outcome seems to have been undertaken to expedite the court process in the Malka Leifer case. On the other hand, it was yet another hollow hearing – number 51 in total – bringing additional pain and suffering to Leifer’s alleged victims, who are currently  in Australia closely following all the developments, and sewing confusion more broadly as to why additional hearings are constantly set, with seemingly very little progress being made.

This ongoing saga needs to be wrapped up as soon as possible. It is continuing to raise questions regarding Israel’s judicial process and is detrimentally impacting Israel’s international reputation. Of course, due process must be followed – but Leifer and her supporters must also not be allowed to have undue influence and to dictate terms.

It’s important to remember that Israel Police are still in the process of investigating Israel’s Deputy Health Minister, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, for allegedly intervening on behalf of Leifer. It’s critical that this investigation be concluded as soon as possible – the outcome of which may shed further light on this ongoing farce.

Despite this protracted process, and the many obstacles we have had to overcome, we are still confident that justice will ultimately prevail. In the meantime, we will continue to do all that we can to ensure we move closer in that direction. And we continue to stand with the courageous alleged victims.”

I’ve been informed that the open court hearing on Wednesday will be similar to today’s hearing – largely procedural with a similar outcome to today’s hearing. I intend to attend that hearing.”