Malka Leifer

Former minister Yaakov Litzman in court for a hearing on his plea bargain, at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, June 9, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 8, 2022, 7:24 pm

Litzman gets minor fine, no jail for shielding alleged pedophile Leifer from justice

Lenient sentence comes as part of plea deal; ex-health minister has admitted to unsuccessfully working to undermine extradition of accused sexual predator Malka Leifer to Australia

By TOI staff

June 9, 2022, 8:37 pm

Court accepts plea deal for ex-minister Litzman in pedophile case

Former UTJ head to avoid jail time as part of deal, serve suspended sentence, pay fine of NIS 3,000; prosecution says Litzman’s actions ‘did not cause damage’

By TOI staff

UTJ MK Yaakov Litzman arrives for a meeting with leaders of opposition parties at the Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv on May 8, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

June 1, 2022, 1:45 pm

Haredi leader Litzman departs Knesset as part of plea deal

23-year veteran of parliament and ex-minister for the United Torah Judaism party, quits before court hearing over involvement in Leifer sexual abuse case

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

UTJ MK Yaakov Litzman speaks during a United Torah Judaism faction meeting, on December 13, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 1, 2022, 1:41 pm

Haredi MK Yaakov Litzman says he will quit Knesset during Passover break

23-year veteran of the Knesset and former minister for United Torah Judaism party, who is eyeing a plea deal, previously said he would not run in next elections

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Illustrative: A policeman holds handcuffs. (Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

February 14, 2022, 3:05 pm

Malka Leifer’s father-in-law, a Jerusalem rabbi, suspected of child sex assault

Baruch Leifer, 70, was arrested last month but his name barred from publication; suspected of molesting a family member when she was 12; more accusations said too old to prosecute

By TOI staff

UTJ MK Yaakov Litzman (L) together with UTJ MK Moshe Gafni (2R) and Shas head Aryeh Deri (R) during a press statement at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 8, 2021.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 30, 2022, 2:30 pm

Daily Briefing Jan. 30 – Does Israel’s corruption score show awareness, or problems?

ToI founding editor David Horovitz and senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur discuss Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition musings, and the state of Israeli corruption

By TOI staff

UTJ MK Yaakov Litzman seen in the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on July 1, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 27, 2022, 4:24 pm

Litzman signs plea deal in Leifer case, avoiding jail time and paying symbolic fine

If terms are approved by judge, former health minister will pay $940 fine for hindering extradition of sex offender to Australia; charges dropped in second corruption case

By TOI staff

December 26, 2021, 6:41 pm

Haredi MK Yaakov Litzman says he will not run for Knesset again

UTJ’s former health minister, 73, says his announcement has nothing to do with looming charges against him for obstruction of justice and breach of trust

By TOI staff

Malka Leifer, right, is brought to a courtroom in Jerusalem, on February 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean, File)

September 23, 2021, 11:24 am

Melbourne court: Malka Leifer must face trial on 70 charges of child sex abuse

Trial of ex-school principal, extradited this year from Israel to Australia after 6-year fight, will start October 21 as judges deem evidence sufficient; she pleads not guilty

By Agencies

Former principal Malka Leifer, wanted in Australia for child sex abuse crimes, seen at the Jerusalem District Court, on February 14, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 20, 2021, 2:45 pm

In court, ex-school counselor claims Malka Leifer’s accusers motivated by money

Chana Rabinowitz testifies that she suspects two sisters alleged sex crimes by their former principal in an attempt to get financial compensation

By AP

September 13, 2021, 6:31 am

Malka Leifer appears in Australia court for hearing on child sex abuse charges

Alleged victims to testify to determine if former principal should face trial on 74 charges, including rape; Leifer excused from appearing in court on Yom Kippur

By AP

Health Minister Yaakov Litzman at a press conference on January 17, 2020. (Flash90)

May 27, 2021, 7:42 pm

AG to indict Litzman for obstruction of justice, breach of trust in Leifer case

Pending charges against Haredi minister tied to allegations he sought to block extradition of accused pedophile Malka Leifer, prevent closure of a deli cited for health violations

By TOI staff

Then-Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman at the ceremony for the opening of a new branch of his Agudath Israel party, ahead of upcoming elections, in the northern city of Safed, July 4, 2019. (David Cohen/Flash90)

April 23, 2021, 12:16 am

AG said set to charge Litzman for meddling in Leifer case, pending a hearing

Mandelblit expected to indict minister on fraud, breach of trust, for pressuring staffers to alter conclusions of psychiatric evaluations, block extradition of alleged pedophile

By Jacob Magid

April 9, 2021, 8:18 am

Malka Leifer appears in Australia court for hearing on child sex abuse charges

Haredi ex-principal, 54, remains in custody until September pre-trial proceedings where she faces 74 counts of abuse dating to her time working at Melbourne’s Adass Israel School

By AFP

United Torah Judaism party chairman and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (L) and party member Moshe Gafni attend the party headquarters on election night in Giv'at Shmuel, March 2, 2020. (Roy Alima/ Flash90)

February 1, 2021, 10:17 pm

After 18 years, Litzman to give up leadership of United Torah Judaism

Moshe Gafni to take over at helm of ultra-Orthodox party, with Litzman in second spot; Shas No. 2 Yitzhak Cohen to retire from politics

By Raoul Wootliff