L’hitraot Dave

AS Dave Sharma prepared to leave Israel after four years serving as Australian Ambassador to the Jewish State, he insisted that bringing alleged child sexual abuser Malka Leifer to justice “is important for the Australia-Israel relationship”.

Leifer faces 74 charges of indecent acts committed against students while she was in charge of the Adass Israel School in Melbourne, before fleeing to Israel in 2008.

Australia has sought her extradition, but an Israeli judge ruled that she is too mentally unstable to face extradition proceedings. He also ruled that she does not have to stay in hospital until she can face proceedings, and instead she can live a normal life and just go for occasional therapy.

Sharma, who has been a staunch friend of Israel and the Jewish community, told The AJN in an exclusive interview that seeing Leifer extradited has been a major concern for him.

“I feel deeply for the victims of her, but also for the community more broadly,” Sharma said.

“I think it’s important for the Australia-Israel relationship to see her extradited and we have been doing everything we can to pursue that. We are not going to let that go.”

Sharma also revealed that the Israeli prosecutors have been co-operating with Australian authorities, but that the process hasn’t moved as quickly as the Australian government would like.

“I think that if we are persistent we will see justice. It’s important that it remains on the agenda and that message is continually relayed both publicly and privately.”

Sharma, whose term ends next week, said he’s enjoyed his time in Israel and is going to miss it greatly.

In his final comments to The AJN, Sharma gave some advice to the incoming ambassador Chris Canaan.

“Embrace Israel in all of it’s eccentrics and all its diversities.

“Israel is a rich tapestry and it needs to be embraced.”

Sharma will return to Australia next week, where he will take some leave in Sydney to see his extended family.

JOSHUA LEVI