Leifer’s protector question by fraud squad

ISRAEL’S Deputy Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman has been questioned by the National Fraud Investigation Unit for allegedly using undue influence to prevent the extradition of Malka Leifer.

According to reports from Israel overnight, he allegedly tried to obtain Litzman psychiatric medical evaluations that would prevent her extradition.

Leifer is facing 74 charges in relation to child sexual abuse in Australia, but has evaded justice by allegedly faking illness to avoid extradition proceedings in Israel for several years.

Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer’s alleged victims, said waiting several years for justice has been tremendously difficult and painful.

”We waited patiently with the understanding that these criminal proceedings take time, Erlich said.

”To learn that this may in fact be due to corruption at the highest levels of the Israeli government is truly devastating.

“We hope this will be a significant step as the pieces come together to paint a clearer picture and bring us the justice we’ve been fighting for.”

Erlich revealed recently that when she and her sisters were in Israel last year they had a brief exchange with Litzman.

He told Erlich that he wouldn’t support the extradition, but said he also wouldn’t interfere to stop it.

Litzman’s office stared that he was “summoned to the police today for an affair related to a public request for help, and he gave his full testimony and answered all the questions as required”.

Michal Biran, a member of the Knesset, and Fleur Hassan Nahoum, deputy mayor of Jerusalem, both called on Litzman to resign.

“The mere thought that Litzman can still remain in charge of the bodies that are taking a significant role in this very delicate and complicated case is like leaving the fox in charge of the chickens,” the deputy mayor said.

”He should take leave so that the remainder of this case is not tainted and the victims get the due process they deserve.”