Australia denies snubbing Israelis at UN over Leifer case

A spokesman for the Australian embassy denies a report that its UN delegation refused to participate in an Israeli-organized event in Geneva to raise awareness of child sex abuse.

The Haaretz daily reported on Sunday that Australia had snubbed Israel in the backdrop of its frustration over the protracted legal proceedings to extradite alleged sex offender Malka Leifer, which have dragged on for over five years.

“The media report is incorrect. Australia’s delegation in Geneva did attend the Israeli-led event ‘Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children,” a spokesperson for the embassy tells The Times of Israel in a statement.

“Australia maintains a strong and determined interest in the extradition of Ms. Malka Leifer from Israel to Australia, to face allegations of child sex abuse in Australian courts.”

— Jacob Magid