Australian school principal accused of molesting kids arrested in Israel

Malka Leifer, a former school principal in Australia who fled to Israel to escape accusations that she molested minors, is arrested, and authorities are seeking to resume extradition procedures against her.

“This morning police officers arrested a female in her 50s from Samaria suspected of obstructing court proceedings and attempting to hide evidence of a case,” the Justice Ministry says in an email.

“A police undercover investigation has been underway for a month, following an Interpol request to investigate the suspect, who is wanted in Australia for sexual offenses to sisters (minors) while being a teacher and principal at the school where they studied. During the investigation evidence was gathered against the suspect,” it says.

Leifer, who left Australia for Israel in 2008 shortly after molestation accusations against her surfaced, had skipped several extradition hearings in Israel. She had committed herself into psychiatric institutions for short periods coinciding with her court dates.

Leifer is wanted for questioning in Australia in connection with 74 charges of molestation, including rape, of several teenage girls, the ABC broadcaster has reported.

Last October, the Victoria Police confirmed that it was investigating members of the ultra-Orthodox community in Melbourne, Australia, for allegedly helping Leifer escape Israel.

Manny Waks, an activist against sexual molestation in Australia’s Orthodox community, says he hopes Leifer will be extradited.

“I’m delighted to hear of Malka Leifer’s arrest and hope that it is the re-commencement of a process that leads to her extradition to Australia to face her accusers,” he says in a statement. “Her arrest is a credit to the many people who have worked tirelessly to ensure that she will be held to account and can no longer be a potential threat to children in Israel. I’m especially happy for her courageous alleged victims.”

— With agencies