Doubt has been cast over Australia's efforts to extradite alleged child abuser Malka Leifer from Israel, with concerns a new controversial political appointment could stall the process.

Key points: One of Ms Leifer's alleged victims said the appointment of Mr Litzman to Health Minister would make it harder for her alleged abuser to be brought back to Australia

One of Ms Leifer's alleged victims said the appointment of Mr Litzman to Health Minister would make it harder for her alleged abuser to be brought back to Australia The Zionist Federation of Australia's president wrote an open letter to the Israeli Prime Minister to warn the appointment would "send a terrible message"

The Zionist Federation of Australia's president wrote an open letter to the Israeli Prime Minister to warn the appointment would "send a terrible message" The Attorney-General and acting Foreign Minister Christian Porter said Australia "remains strongly committed to ensuring that Malka Leifer faces justice"

Ms Leifer faces 74 counts of sexual assault in Victoria relating to her time as principal of the Adass Israel School between 2001 and 2008.

She has been fighting to stay in Israel since an Australian extradition request was lodged in 2014, citing mental health concerns.

But there are fears the political elevation of an Israeli parliamentarian linked to the case could affect the extradition process.

Over the weekend, Yaakov Litzman was promoted to the role of Health Minister in Israel.

The move would normally receive limited media coverage locally, however it was immediately condemned by Australian Jewish groups and Ms Leifer's alleged victims.

That is because Israeli police have recommended that Mr Litzman be charged with fraud and breach of trust over actions he took when he was deputy health minister in relation to the Leifer case.

He allegedly pressed ministry employees to issue a false psychiatric report to block Ms Leifer's extradition on medical grounds.

One of the former principal's alleged victims, Dassi Erlich, said she was still in shock at news of the appointment.

Ms Erlich believes Mr Litzman's promotion will make Ms Leifer's extradition process difficult. ( Australian Story: Mark Farnell )

"It makes an utter mockery of Israel," she said.

"In the eyes of everyone watching this case around the world and really in the eyes of all victims of abuse, it's a slap in the face."

Ms Erlich said she thought the appointment of Mr Litzman as Health Minister would make it harder for her alleged abuser to be brought back to Australia.

"We are completely devastated and shocked, utterly shocked," she said.

"I do believe this will make it more difficult."

Sends a terrible message to Australia: Zionist federation

Ms Leifer is a former principal of the Adass Jewish school in Melbourne. ( Supplied )

In an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler warned the appointment would "send a terrible message to the Australian people and most importantly to the survivors of Malka Leifer's alleged abuse."

"When we met just a few months ago in Jerusalem together with former Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard AC and other high profile former Australian political leaders, you assured me that your government would do everything in its power to facilitate the extradition of Malka Leifer to Australia to face justice for the very serious crimes she is accused of committing," the letter reads.

"Neither the Jewish community nor the Australian people, nor the community of Australian olim deserve to be treated this way.

"On behalf of the Australian Jewish Community, I implore you to reconsider this appointment until the investigation into Yaakov Litzman has concluded."

The Attorney-General and acting Foreign Minister Christian Porter would not comment directly on the ministerial appointment, saying it was a matter for the relevant government.

However he said it did not alter the fact the allegations of improper conduct in relation to the Leifer case were of "great concern."

"The Australian Government remains strongly committed to ensuring that Malka Leifer faces justice," he said.

"Earlier this month I met personally with Government officials in Israel and reaffirmed our resolve to have Malka Leifer extradited to Australia to face 74 charges of child sexual abuse.

"The extradition matter is currently before the justice system in Israel and my call on Israeli authorities is for it to be resolved transparently and quickly."