Emmanuel, the town in Israel where pedophiles find safe haven

Published: 2 July 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Malka Leifer, who has been refused bail again, came to this ultra-Orthodox settlement in the West Bank. GABRIELLE WEINIGER finds she’s not the only abuser living there

Alleged child abuser Malka Leifer to stay in custody (SMH)
A Jerusalem Court judge has denied bail to former school principal and accused child molester Malka Leifer in an open and shut court hearing on Sunday. But speaking outside court after the decision, her defence team announced they would appeal the judge’s decision to Israel’s Supreme Court.

A haven for pedophiles: The ultra-Orthodox settlement where Malka Leifer hides (The Age)
Malka Leifer, the former Melbourne school principal and accused child molester, came to live here in 2016 after an Israeli judge found she was mentally unfit to face extradition to Australia.

And here, even though she is wanted by Victoria Police on 74 counts of alleged sexual assault and rape involving girls, one resident claims Leifer was able to continue abusing children, including his own teenage daughter, without consequence.

SEE ITTAY FLESCHER’S VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELLE WEINIGER

Photo: A school in Emmanuel (Gabrielle Weiniger)