Billionaire James Packer hangs with Jewish power players for Netanyahu’s US speech

JAMES Packer made an appearance in US Congress to witness Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic speech and revealed he has bought a house in Tel Aviv

Entertainment mogul James Packer has revealed his deepening links with Israel after his surprise appearance in the United States Congress yesterday to witness Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic speech.

The casino and movie-making billionaire was spotted sitting next to one of Hollywood’s most prolific independent film producers Arnon Milchan, who helped bankroll the two most recent Oscar winners for Best Motion Picture, 12 Years a Slave and Birdman.

Mr Packer told The Daily Telegraph yesterday he has bought a house in Tel Aviv and had become friends with Mr Netanyahu, dining with him several times.

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“It was an honour to have been invited today to hear such a truly historic speech — he has the hardest job in the world,’’ he said.

“Spending time with Arnon and Prime Minister Netanyahu has been an amazing eye-opener for me and it reinforces how lucky we all are in Australia.’’

Mr Packer is not Jewish but has spent much time reflecting in Israeli after the breakup of his marriage to former singer and model Erica Baxter.

His partner in filmmaking venture RatPac, Brett Ratner, is Jewish, as are some of the biggest powerbrokers in Hollywood.

James Packer (second from right) with super stars (from left) Brad Pitt, producer Brett Ratner, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Leonardo De Caprio

Mr Packer now divides his time between Israel, the United States, Australia and Asia, where his Melco Crown casino joint-venture continues to grow. Ms Baxter and the couple”s three young children are based in Los Angeles.

Mr Netanyahu received several standing ovations in Congress as he denounced President Barack Obama’s drive for a nuclear accord with Iran.

“It paves Iran’s path to the bomb,’’ said the Israeli leader, who faces an election in two weeks.

The speech sparked major controversy in the US as it was organised by the Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner who not only flouted convention that such invitations come from the President but actively kept Barack Obama in the dark to “avoid interference”.

It was also in defiance of diplomatic protocols that invitations aren’t issued to foreign leaders involved in elections.

Vice-President Joe Biden and dozens of Democrat congressmen and senators stayed away in protest.

Moments before the speech, Mr Packer lent forward and warmly embraced Mr Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, who was seated next to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

Mr Packer is believed to have been introduced to Mr Netanyahu through Mr Milchan, who the casino magnate has described to confidants as his “best friend”.

James Packer (top right) claps as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pays tribute to political activist and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel (centre) during Mr Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of the United States Congress. Picture: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Mr Milchan is regarded as a legend in Hollywood, producing more than 130 films including Pretty Woman, Natural Born Killers and L.A. Confidential and working closely with movie giants such as Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Oliver Stone.

Scorcese recently directed a $70 million promo film, starring De Niro, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, for Mr Packer’s Crown Resorts company. Mr Packer has also become close friends with De Niro, who is involved in a vodka business with him.

Mr Milchan, estimated to be worth US$4.5 billion, was once an operative for Israel’s top-secret intelligence agency, Lakam, and assisted in buying components to build and maintain Israel’s nuclear arsenal.