Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘saved James Packer’s life after split with Mariah Carey’

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly saved James Packer’s life after he split with Mariah Carey. 

The Australian billionaire struck up a close friendship with Netanyahu in 2014 after they were introduced by mutual friend Arnon Milchan, a major Hollywood producer.

When Mr Packer split with superstar Ms Carey in October 2016, after being engaged for nine months, Netanyahu apparently called him and convinced him to come to Israel. 

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Mr Milchan mentioned the call during a police interview about allegations of corruption against Netanyahu, nicknamed Bibi.

‘I asked Bibi to pick up a phone and call Jimmy to save his life,’ Mr Milchan reportedly said.

‘I and other people were worried; we thought that if we didn’t act quickly, his life would be in danger. Bibi was the only one who managed to convince him to come to Israel. I think that saved his life.’ 

The revelation appeared in Israeli media on Monday as a four-day hearing into allegations of corruption against Netanyahu came to an end.

The prime minister is accused of acting on behalf of wealthy supporters and businessmen in exchange for gifts and favourable news coverage.

The expensive gifts include champagne, hotel rooms, meals and cigars. 

Mr Packer met Netanyahu in 2014 and later bought a waterfront home next door to the Israeli PM’s private beachfront home in Caesarea.

He was a special guest at Netanyahu’s speeches to the US Congress and UN General Assembly in New York in 2015 and was seen leaning over to embrace or kiss the PM’s wife Sara in the House of Representatives.

Left to right: Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer, Benjamin Netanyahu, an official, Benjamin’s son Yair Netanyahu and James Packer in Israel

James Packer (left) greets Sara Netanyahu (right) moments before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about Iran to a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House on March 3, 2015 in Washington, DC

James Packer and Arnon Milchan attend the New York Premiere of Noah at Clearview Ziegfeld Theatre on March 26, 2014 in New York City

In November 2017 the AFP interviewed Mr Packer on behalf of the Israelis as a witness to the investigation into Netanyahu. 

Packer was not a suspect and gave his full co-operation. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Packer.  

On Monday in Israel Netanyahu’s lawyers and not the premier himself attended the closed-door hearing, which provided a final chance to convince Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit he should not be indicted.

It came as attempts by Netanyahu – who has been in office for a total of over 13 years – to form a unity government following September 17 elections are at an impasse.

Netanyahu has denied the allegations against him, calling the corruption investigation a ‘witch-hunt’ and alleging it has been motivated by his enemies’ desire to force him from office.

The premier had asked that the hearing be broadcast live because he has ‘nothing to hide’.

Mandelblit dismissed the request in no uncertain terms, saying the hearing was intended to convince the legal authorities, not the public.

The attorney general’s deliberations on whether to issue the indictments are expected to continue for weeks.

Netanyahu is not required to step down as prime minister if indicted, only if convicted with all appeals exhausted. 

James Packer’s links to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu 

James Packer pictured with his then girlfriend Mariah Carey in 2016

POLICE PROBE

James Packer is one of several wealthy businessmen Israeli police questioned about expensive gifts allegedly given to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family, including champagne, hotel rooms, meals and cigars. Mr Packer was interviewed as a witness not a suspect. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Packer.

FRIENDSHIP FORMS

Mr Packer struck up a close friendship with Mr Netanyahu in 2014 after the pair were introduced by mutual friend, Arnon Milchan, a major Hollywood producer. The Australian billionaire later bought a waterfront home next door to the Israeli PM’s private beachfront home in Caesarea and was a special guest at speeches delivered by Mr Netanyahu to the US Congress and UN General Assembly in New York in 2015.

GLITTERING GIFTS

Israeli police believe Mr Packer gave gifts worth $US71,000 to Mr Netanyahu, his wife Sara and their son Yair. In 2016 Israeli TV network Channel 10 aired claims that Mrs Netanyhau received 10 tickets to see Mr Packer’s then girlfriend Mariah Carey in concert. Mr Packer is also claimed to have allowed Yair to stay in his Tel Aviv apartment, lent him his private jet to go on holiday, and picked up his luxury hotel bills in New York and Aspen, Colorado.

Mr Milchan, who produced hit movies including LA Confidential and 12 Years A Slave, and The Big Short, was questioned by police about $US214,000 worth of gifts, including cigars and champagne, he gave the Netanyahus.

QUESTION TIME

Mr Packer was interviewed by Australian Federal Police in Melbourne in December 2016 after requests from Israeli investigators. He reportedly described Mr Netanyahu as a friend and said the gifts were organised by Mr Milchan’s assistant. Mr Netanyahu later reportedly told investigators he had ‘now and again’ asked Mr Packer to ‘bring me something to Israel from abroad’.

Israeli police do not allege any wrongdoing by Mr Packer. 

RESIDENCY BID

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri in January 2017 confirmed Mr Packer’s lawyer asked him about the possibility of obtaining citizenship or residency for the billionaire in Israel, despite the fact he is not Jewish. Mr Packer reportedly registered with Israel’s tax office, a prerequisite to applying for residency, in 2016.

‘NOT WORRIED AT ALL’

Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. During his first state visit to Australia in February 2017 he insisted nothing would come of the police investigation into his ties with Mr Packer as there was ‘nothing there, except friendship’. ‘No I’m not worried at all. Not at all,’ he told reporters. While Mr Netanyahu and his family have not denied accepting gifts, they have insisted they weren’t bribes.