Published: 23 October 2017
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Ultra-orthodox Jewish community Adass Israel investigated over accused principal's escape (ABC)
Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating members of Melbourne's ultra-orthodox Jewish community, Adass Israel, after community leaders allegedly assisted a school principal to escape to Israel in the dead of night when they became aware she had been accused of abusing girls in her care.
PM to push Israel for extradition of ex-principal accused of abusing girls (The Age)
Pressure has been ramped up against Israel to deal with the long-stalled extradition of former Melbourne principal Malka Leifer, who fled Australia nearly a decade ago after being accused of sexually abusing her students.
Fairfax Media has been told that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will directly raise the issue with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu during high-level talks in Jerusalem next week.
The Prime Minister's bid comes as members of Australia's Jewish community continue efforts to secure Ms Leifer's extradition, after she successfully claimed in an Israeli court to be too mentally unwell to return to Australia.
A bipartisan delegation, including Labor MPs Michael Danby and Mark Dreyfus, is also seeking to raise the issue with Israel's justice minister, Ayelet Shaked, on October 30.
