Malka Leifer

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

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

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

January 28, 2021, 5:14 am

Extradited by Israel, Malka Leifer in Australia court on child sex abuse charges

Former school principal, 54, has first hearing after 6-year battle against transfer from Israel; lawyer requests special conditions to facilitate her religious observance

By Agencies

In this February 27, 2018, photo, Malka Leifer, center, is brought to a courtroom in Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

January 27, 2021, 1:57 pm

Malka Leifer lands in Australia ahead of child sex abuse trial hearing Thursday

Former school principal’s extradition is completed, more than 12 years after she fled justice; Canberra officials hail development, thank Israeli government

By AFP and TOI staff

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

January 25, 2021, 9:16 am

13 years after bolting, 6 since arrest, Malka Leifer extradited to Australia

Former Haredi school principal on her way back to Melbourne, where she faces 74 charges of child sex abuse

By Jacob Magid

December 16, 2020, 7:33 pm

Justice minister signs off on extradition of accused pedophile Malka Leifer

Israel now has 60 days to put former principal on a plane to face trial for 74 counts of abuse; her lawyers say they will not make a final appeal to stop it

By Jacob Magid

Malka Leifer, a teacher wanted in Australia for child sex abuse, seen on a screen via a video link during a court hearing at the Jerusalem District Court on July 20, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 15, 2020, 12:03 pm

Supreme Court rules Malka Leifer can be extradited to Australia

Justice minister says he won’t delay signing order releasing former school principal to Victorian authorities to face charges of sexually abusing students

By Stuart Winer and Jacob Magid

Malka Leifer seen on a screen, left, via a video link during a court hearing at the Jerusalem District Court on July 20, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 2, 2020, 11:11 pm

Leifer case comes before Supreme Court for what could be final time

Top legal body hears appeal of lower court ruling to extradite former principal wanted in Australia on 74 charges of child sex abuse; decision expected in coming days

By Jacob Magid

(From L-R) Malka Leifer's attorneys Tal Gabay and Yehuda Fried speak to reporters at the Jerusalem District Court on September 23, 2019. (Jacob Magid/Times of Israel)

November 21, 2020, 4:32 am

Malka Leifer’s lawyers step down weeks before latest long-shot appeal

Attorney Tal Gabay stands by argument accused child rapist is mentally unfit for trial; Supreme Court set to hear attempt to prevent her extradition to Australia in December

By Jacob Magid

Australian sisters Elly Sapper, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer who were allegedly sexually abused by former headteacher Malka Leifer arrive for a court hearing at the District Court in Jerusalem, March 6, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 21, 2020, 1:01 pm

Leifer accusers express relief at long-awaited extradition ruling

‘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

By TOI staff and Jacob Magid

September 21, 2020, 10:17 am

Court rules accused sex abuser Leifer to be extradited to Australia

In possibly final ruling after 6 years of hearings, judge says ex-principal must face child sex abuse charges in Melbourne, pending expected appeal

By Jacob Magid

A private investigator tagged Malka Leifer as she spoke on the phone, while sitting on a bench in Bnei Brak, on December 14, 2017. (Screen capture/YouTube)

September 21, 2020, 9:59 am

Court set to hand down long-awaited decision on Leifer extradition to Australia

Judge expected to rule in favor of sending former principal to Australia to face 74 charges of child sex abuse, but defense can still try to appeal

By Jacob Magid

September 2, 2020, 2:35 pm

Supreme Court rejects Malka Leifer’s appeal, paving way toward her extradition

After years of hearings, judges unanimously say alleged serial pedophile is mentally fit to stand trial in Australia; decision on extradition to be made on September 21

By Michael Bachner and Jacob Magid