Published: 6 September 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Israeli Channel 13 and the Times of Israel reported that “despite the police’s recommendation … that he be indicted on charges of fraud and breach of trust over the Malka Leifer extradition case”.
In short, Litzman is accused of using his political office to meddle and tamper with witnesses central to the Leifer case. It is no coincidence that both Leifer and Litzman are ultra-Orthodox.
“Progress toward an agreement between Mandelblit and Litzman came after the deputy minister … agreed to relinquish responsibility of the [Jerusalem district psychiatrist] offices within the Health Ministry,” the Times of Israel said.
Mandelblit has responsibility for deciding whether to indict Litzman after police recommended charging him.
The reports, which have not been rejected by Mandelblit or any other political figure, hint at a political deal to shore up support from Litzman’s ultra-Orthodox United Torah party, a right-wing bloc that could provide extra numbers for Benjamin Netanyahu to form a governing coalition.
Mandelblit’s apparent inclination to turn a blind eye to Litzman’s corrupt behaviour is a smear against him and Israeli justice. The hypocrisy of his stance is aggravated by his well-publicised decision to recommend indicting Netanyahu over a raft corruption charges.
There are many key issues at stake in this case – justice for Dassi Erlich, her sisters and other victims of Leifer’s crimes, the corrosion of Israeli democracy by ultra-Orthodox loyalties, the abuse of Israel’s right of return, which is now being used to provide safe haven for paedophiles, and the overall integrity of Israel’s justice system.
So far, there are grave questions hanging over each of these benchmarks, testing the faith of Australian Jews and all those who care about the rule of law.
The Jewish Independent launched a public campaign calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to throw Litzman out of his portfolio to help restore faith in the Israeli justice system.
We reiterate our call to the government, and main opposition leader, Benny Gantz, to ensure that Litzman does not get reappointed, and that the extradition case against Leifer is expedited towards bringing her back to face Australian justice.
Image: Image: Dassi Erlich and sisters (left), and Yaacov Litzman
