Israeli court proceedings have been condemned as an “absolute farce” after a hearing in the Malka Leifer case was postponed for a month because the psychiatric panel due to report on her fitness to stand trial said it was unaware of the hearing date.

Leifer faces extradition to Australia on 74 charges of sexually assaulting students during her time at Melbourne’s ultra-orthodox Adass Israel school.

The former principal fled to Israel in 2008 after the allegations emerged and the process to extradite her has stalled several times since charges were laid in 2013.

While numerous psychiatrists have assessed Leifer over the course of 62 court hearings since 2014, the Jerusalem district court ruled in September a new expert panel would be formed.

The deadline for its findings was 10 December, but the panel has now been given until January to deliver its decision to the court.

The psychiatric panel was apparently unaware of Tuesday’s hearing, forcing it to be postponed to 14 January.

Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer’s alleged victims, was outraged by the development.

“We feel sick with anxiety. [We spent] three months waiting for this day,” Erlich told media. “Who didn’t get the memo? Was this intentional?”

Dassi Erlich (left) and Nicole Meyer allege school principal Malka Leifer sexually abused them at the Adass Israel school in Melbourne. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Victim supporter Manny Waks said Tuesday’s proceedings were an “absolute farce”.

“We have three courageous alleged victims who continue to suffer and who were waiting anxiously for today’s outcome and once again they’ve had the door slammed in their face,” Waks said.

“It is absolutely unacceptable, and the Israeli judicial system desperately needs to be reformed, it does not make sense that this charade is continuing.”

The defence had lodged an appeal against the new psychiatric assessment, which the Jerusalem supreme court overturned last week.

Erlich said she and her sisters, who have been fighting to bring Leifer back to Australia to stand trial, were exhausted from so many delays and “nerve-racking” waits.

“Another nerve-racking month. Will it actually go ahead? How much longer can we hold on?” Erlich said, sceptical the hearing would happen in January.