Morrison “commended” Erlich and Meyer for their “brave campaign for justice for the horrific allegations of abuse committed against them and others,” and said that his government “stands with them.”He added: “This matter is currently before the justice system in Israel, and we call for the matter to be resolved transparently and quickly.”Morrison said that he had “previously raised this commitment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu” and would continue to do so “with the incoming Israeli leadership,” while also noting that Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and embassy officials had also frequently raised the issue with their Israeli counterparts.“Australia is a strong and committed friend and partner of Israel,” the Australian prime minister added. “That friendship is based on many things, including our shared commitment to justice, democracy and the rule of law.”Leifer fled Australia to come to Israel in 2008, but legal proceedings against her only began after her arrest in 2014, during which she claimed to be mentally unfit for extradition.Following a private investigation into her behavior in 2017, the police began its own investigation and arrested Leifer in 2018 on suspicion of feigning mental illness to avoid extradition.According to Australia’s ABC News, Erlich and Meyer urged Morrison to raise the issue with the next Israeli government.“This has taken a tremendous toll on both of our lives, traveling back and forth, not seeing any results, the frustrations, knowing at some point that [Leifer] might get bail – it has had an emotional toll on our lives,” Erlich was quoted as saying.Meyer added: “We’re trying to give a message to all survivors that even if you have been abused, life can go on, justice should be served and we no longer need to sweep it under the carpet, and we want to stand strong on behalf of all others, not just ourselves.”Herb Keinon contributed to this report.Just met with PM @ScottMorrisonMP An extremely productive and encouraging meeting. The PM expressed that he has raised this issue directly with @netanyahu & will continue to raise Australia's strong interest in the case with the @IsraeliPMWe felt heard and supported.
— Dassi Erlich #bringleiferback (@dassi_erlich) October 23, 2019
Australian PM pressures Israel to extradite Malka Leifer
PM Scott Morrison says that he has raised ongoing failure to extradite alleged pedophile Leifer with Netanyahu, states that Australian-Israel friendship based on "justice," "rule of law."
