The Koala photo-op we will not remember.

Israel’s President, Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin, arrived last week for an official state visit. But his visit has been marked, or marred, by the on-going extradition dispute involving Malka Leifer. 

This is his first official visit to Australia, and the first of an Israeli president in 15 years. Much fanfare and preparation was invested prior to his visit, as befitting two friendly nations with close ties. 

But his visit has been marked, or marred, by the on-going extradition dispute involving Malka Leifer. It is now twelve years since the former headmistress of Adass Israel School, an ultra-orthodox Jewish school in Melbourne, was spirited out of Australia in the middle of the night by the school board, after allegations of sexual misconduct were brought against her. She fled to Israel, evading the arms of Australian law. In 2013, Australia formally requested Leifer's extradition to stand trial on charges of 74 counts of sexual assaults against students in her charge. 

To say that the wheels of justice in Jerusalem grind slowly would be the drollest of understatements. The proceedings have taken on farcical proportions. Leifer and her legal team have employed numerous tactics, some quite outlandish, to drag, delay, prolong and postpone the extradition process. Seven years on, we are now on court hearing number 64 – and still counting. In some countries such circus acts would constitute a scandal.

Dassi Erlich is one of Leifer’s alleged victims. I have reported on and followed her tireless efforts to bring Leifer to justice. Her testimony is shocking, not least because of the reverberation the alleged abuse has had, and continues to have, on her adult life. Prior to his arrival in Australia, Dassi requested a meeting with president Rivlin. “We do not wish to ask you to interfere with the judicial process,” she clarified, “only that you use your authority to ensure this case ends in a timely manner.” He did not respond to her request. Instead, his office issued a formal statement that “the president takes the matter very seriously,” and that the legal proceedings regarding Leifer’s deportation are “proceeding as planned.” 

The snub was a slap in the face, not just to Dassi, but to the Jewish community who have rallied behind her; to the Australian federal members of parliament who have championed the cause to bring Leifer to book; and to the many friends of Israel who see this as an affront to justice. The Australian Jewish News pleaded in an open letter to the President “to help alleviate the suffering of those Leifer is alleged to have abused, to meet with them and hear their concerns.” And still he steadfastly refused. 

Rivlin was not asked to undermine the integrity of the Israeli legal system; he was simply asked to hear the story of an alleged victim of sexual abuse and help bring the process to an end. Finally, on Wednesday evening, after relentless badgering and bad press, he relented, promising to personally meet with the Chief Justice of Israel “if hearings this week do not see this matter progress.” Mealy-mouthed promises which came late and were doled out half heartedly. Of his visit to Australia, President Rivlin may want us to remember his visit to Toronga zoo where he was photographed stroking a cute koala; but many of us will remember it as the missed oppoortunity to do the decent thing.