Leifer campaign taken to Parliament
Prime Minister Scott Morrison: “My government is strongly committed to ensuring that justice is served in the case of Malka Leifer.”
“ENOUGH is enough.”
That was the sentiment from Liberal MP Dave Sharma, Labor MP Josh Burns and alleged victims of Malka Leifer, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer, who met in Canberra today (Wednesday) to push for Leifer’s extradition to Australia.
The sisters also met this morning with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who “expressed that he has raised this issue directly” with Benjamin Netanyahu and “will continue to raise Australia’s strong interest in the case” with his Israeli counterpart.
Describing their meeting with Morrison as “extremely productive and encouraging”, Erlich said, “We felt heard and supported.”
She said Morrison “assured us that Leifer’s victims have not and will not be forgotten”.
“It feels very validating to have this strong level of support from the Australian government.”
In a statement, Morrison said the sisters’ “brave campaign for justice for the horrific allegations of abuse committed against them, and others, is to be commended and supported”.
“My government is strongly committed to ensuring that justice is served in the case of Malka Leifer,” Morrison said.
“We call for the matter to be resolved transparently and quickly.”
Morrison said he had previously raised the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “will continue to raise this issue with the incoming Israeli leadership”.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Burns said, “This is about making sure that justice is done and that Malka Leifer is returned to Australia.
“It has been almost a decade since Malka Leifer fled Australia, and this has to end. Enough is enough.
“Today we send a clear message to our friends and counterparts in Israel that we will not rest until she is returned.”
Noting there had been over 60 hearings in court in Israel, Sharma said “we seem to be no closer” to an extradition.
“I don’t doubt the independence and integrity of the Israeli legal system, but as my friend Josh Burns said, enough is enough,” Sharma said.
Full coverage in this week’s AJN, out tomorrow.
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