Published: 21 September 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
“MALKA LEIFER WILL BE EXTRADITED to Australia.”
These are the words so many of us have anxiously awaited to hear, but especially Leifer’s three alleged victims, the courageous sisters Nicole, Dassi and Elly.
Yesterday was hearing number 71. I have attended the vast majority of these hearings, usually making the long trip from my home in Ramat HaSharon in central Israel (just outside of Tel Aviv) in the early hours of the morning to Jerusalem.
During the first hearings, it was a lonely experience. I was pretty much the only person in the courtroom not directly involved in the proceedings. Today, notwithstanding the Covid restrictions, the court was packed with supporters and media.
The anxiety and excitement in the lead-up to yesterday’s hearing was palpable.
I spoke to and corresponded with Nicole, as we always do from the court, and we supported each other, as we often do.
The judge asked the guards to tell Leifer, on video-link from jail, to raise her head from the table for her decision. Leifer ignored them
I was confident of the outcome but one thing I have learned over the years in this case is to expect the unexpected. Thankfully, there were no surprises today.
Judge Chana Lomp calmly entered the courtroom. She spoke quietly and asked the guards to tell Leifer, who was on video-link from jail, to raise her head from the table for her decision.
The guards tried but Leifer ignored them, whether too ashamed or continuing the charade which nobody is falling for any longer.
It took less than 10 seconds for Judge Lomp to announce that Leifer would be extradited to Australia.
I posted her verdict on my Facebook live-blog from inside the courtroom, and then had to double-check that I had heard correctly. I then went outside to update the waiting media and called the sisters.
I posted her verdict on my Facebook live-blog from inside the courtroom, and then had to double-check that I had heard correctly, just to be sure I hadn’t imagined it.
I then went outside to update the waiting media and called the sisters so they could share their reaction.
To me, that was the most emotional time - speaking to these brave girls, and hearing them speak to the media via Facetime on my iPad. I felt their collective relief.
I still have not fully absorbed this incredible decision. It will take some time.
But I have knocked back several interview requests, as today, I feel the need to celebrate.
And I will do so, especially for the courageous Nicole, Dassi and Elly, while reflecting on the enormity of what they have achieved with the support of so many from around the world.
READ MORE
Leifer accusers express relief at long-awaited extradition ruling (Times of Israel)
‘We can’t believe we finally got here,’ says one of three Australian sisters who accuse ex-principal of sexual assault; others also praise decision, after 71 hearings
Accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer to be extradited to Australia (SMH)
Accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer will be extradited to Australia, according to a final ruling judgment handed down by the Jerusalem District Court on Monday.
Israeli court rules accused paedophile Malka Leifer be extradited to Australia (Haaretz)
An Israeli court decided Monday morning that accused paedophile Malka Leifer be extradited to Australia
Malka Leifer can be extradited to Australia on child sexual abuse charges, Israeli court rules (Guardian)
Leifer faces 74 child sex abuse charges relating to her time as principal of a Melbourne school
Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara: “Justice, justice, you shall pursue.” For almost a decade, that is exactly what three heroic Australian women, Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper, have been doing - to see their former principal Malka Leifer face justice and 74 counts of child sexual abuse in Victoria.
Their fight for her extradition has taken far too long but they have never relented. They have never given up.
Photo: Accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer appears via video link in an Israeli court (SMH)
