Police recommend indicting MK Litzman for corruption, aiding alleged pedophile Malka Leifer
Israeli police have announced its recommendation to indict Deputy Health Minister Member of Knesset (MK) Yaakov Litzman on accounts of aiding an alleged sex offender, Malka Leifer, and preventing the closure of a food business despite decisions to shut it down for sanitary reasons.
Malka Leifer in court June 14 Photo: Hillel Maeir/TPS
The police said it completed its investigation into the two separate incidents. In its announcement, the police said it had found sufficient evidence and has passed the material on to the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office for them to decide whether or not to proceed and prosecute Litzman.
In the first case the police investigation involved Malka Leifer, former Melbourne ultra-orthodox girls’ school Adass Yisroel school principal, who is facing 74 charges of child sexual abuse. Leifer fled from Australia to Israel in 2008 following allegations that she had sexually abused her students at the Adass Yisroel school in Melbourne.
Litzman is suspected of attempting to manipulate Leifer’s psychiatric evaluation to deem her mentally unfit to be extradited to Australia, where she could stand trial.
Litzman allegedly used his clout as Deputy Health Minister and met with psychiatrists who work in the Health Ministry to convince them to change their evaluation according to his wishes.
The second case related to a food business owned by Litzman’s close associate. The authorities ordered the business to close because it failed to meet sanitary standards, but Litzman allegedly stepped in to prevent the closure, using his influence on Health Ministry officials to do so.
Yaakov Litzman
The police also investigated other incidents in which Litzman was suspected to have influenced Health Ministry workers to alter their professional decisions to meet his requirements. However, the police did not find sufficient evidence to recommend indicting Litzman.
Litzman’s office released a statement denying the allegations.
“As we have said all along, Deputy Minister Litzman has always worked for the benefit of Israel’s citizens, with total transparency and in accordance with the law. Litzman’s office has an open-door policy for the benefit of the public, without any discrimination of any kind and without checking the caller’s status, all with respect to the law and integrity,” his spokesman stated,
The statement further noted that the police clearly stated that they believe no offense has been committed in most of the investigated suspicions against Litzman.
“As for the other allegations, we have no doubt that after careful consideration, it will be clear that no crime has been committed by the Deputy Minister,” the statement said.
Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer’s victims, stated Tuesday that the investigation into Litzman’s conduct “brought to light the systemic cover-up and support of abusers, in the highest levels of government, particularly in the Malka Leifer case.”
“The recommendation for Litzman to be charged, has us feeling excited, relieved and encouraged going forward,” she added.
Child sexual abuse advocate Manny Waks commeneted: “Today’s police announcement is a much welcome development in this prolonged, sordid case. Those of us who have been following this case closely over the years have always wondered how it reached this level of farce – there have been over 50 court hearings, with no end in sight.
It seems the truth is slowly coming to light; an alleged interference at the highest level, Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Deputy Health Minister. Ironically, the highest goverment representative tasked with the health and well-being of Israel’s citizens.
We reiterate our call for Litzman to immediately resign fron all his leadership positions, in particular from his role as Deputy Health Minister, until the conclusion of any proceedings against him.
We also hope that today’s announcement will ensure Israel is on the way to rectifying its international reputation, which suffered greatly due to this case. The ball is now very much in Israel’s court.
We stand steadfastly behind Leifer’s courageous alleged victims, and hope and expect that justice will prevail.
We sincerely thank all those who have worked tirelessly to ensure justice is pursued.”
Waks added: “I have personally been involved in this case since 2011 (when I was Vice President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and publicly disclosed my own abuse), when one of Leifer’s alleged victims contacted me. Since then, I have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and publicly, including attending most of the 50+ hearings, to ensure justice prevails. So, for me, today’s announcement is also somewhat of a personal victory.”
Leifer remains in custody faces extradition proceedings.
TPS/J-Wire
Litzman should be sacked. Absolutely disgraceful that he would use his position as he’s alleged to have done, in both cases. He’s a disgrace to his Knesset position, a disgrace to Judaism and a disgrace as a human being.
Yes finally.