Published: 3 January 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Litzman, an ultra-Orthodox Jew like Leifer, has been accused of pressuring government psychiatrists to alter their reports on Leifer’s mental health fitness to stand trial.
Netanyahu’s decision has been condemned in both political and Jewish community circles. “It is disturbing that the Netanyahu administration would seek to promote anyone accused of assisting Malka Leifer to evade justice,” the Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus told The Jewish Independent.
“It is long past time that Ms Leifer was extradited to Australia to face justice for her horrific crimes, and for Israel to honour its commitment to the rule of law and to justice.”
Josh Burns, the Federal member for Macnamara: “The decision to promote Mr Litzman is deeply disappointing. [He] should not be in charge of a Ministry he’s allegedly been using to interfere with a child sex abuse case - especially in the middle of an ongoing investigation.”
"A slap in the face" to the Australian Jewish community, said the Zionist Federation of Australia; “an awful decision… we're surprised and shocked,” lamented the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council.
It has become all too apparent that words are not enough to kickstart any progress in the cause of justice regarding Leifer’s extradition and Litzman’s involvement.
While the speed and directness of these responses is both appropriate and commendable, it has become all too apparent that words are not enough to kickstart any progress in the cause of justice regarding Leifer’s extradition and Litzman’s involvement.
The Israeli government continues to demonstrate contempt for Leifer’s victims and the value of government accountability.
When The Jewish Independent launched a campaign calling on Netanyahu not to re-appoint Litzman, drawing over 2500 signatures from concerned Australian Jews, we hoped that it might give impetus to a broader momentum to have him banished from public life. Sadly, it has not.
Neither have the meetings facilitated by community leaders with Israeli politicians and diplomats, nor have their harsh words. There is no reason to think they will in the future, especially given the political black hole that has enveloped Netanyahu.
The government could consider reviewing certain bilateral commercial arrangements when they come up for renewal, Jewish community leaders could appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court against Litzman’s appointment over his conflict of interest.
The Jewish Independent believes the time has come for Australian leaders – both federal political and Jewish community – to turn words into concrete action, something tangible to demonstrate the level of disgust now felt by all Australians, not just Jews.
What form might this response take? The government could consider reviewing certain bilateral commercial arrangements when they come up for renewal, Jewish community leaders could appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court against Litzman’s appointment over his conflict of interest, or they could impose conditions on the structure of donations going to Israeli causes – there are many subtle but pointed levers in play at any given time.
We do not make this suggestion lightly; we recognise the long history of political and cultural goodwill that has developed, and still flourishes, between Israel and Australia.
However, if the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse told Australians anything, it is that turning a blind eye to the impact of abuse can be even worse that the original abuse itself. The seeping of fundamentalist religion into the highest echelons of Israeli government has created a deplorable tolerance for the institutional corruption that allows abuse to go unpunished.
The Israeli government should know that Australia means business when our leaders voice their disgust.
