I stand by my mate Benjamin Netanyahu: James Packer

James Packer has spoken of his close relationship with ­Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Australian magnate was a surprise sighting at the Israeli PM’s historic and fiery address to US Congress in Washington.

Exclusive: James Packer has spoken of his close relationship with ­Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring “our friendship is real’’.

The Australian magnate was a surprise sighting at Mr Netanyahu’s historic and fiery address to US Congress in Washington on Wednesday.

Mr Packer said Mr Netanyahu’s invitation to sit with a select handful of guests at the joint sitting underscored his admiration for the man, nicknamed “Bibi”.

“I was surprised to receive the invitation from Bibi,’’ Mr Packer told The Saturday Telegraph.

It would be the first time the two men, who forged a close friendship when Mr Packer lived in Israel a decade ago, have spoken in eight years.

After attending Mr Netanyahu’s speech, a passionate defence of Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, Mr Packer joined the prime minister for breakfast the next morning.

James Packer (left) awaits Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24 in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

Mr Packer said his links to a long-running inquiry into Mr Netanyahu, the so-called “gifts affair’’ — for which the Australian is not accused of any wrongdoing — meant his appearance would win the ­Israeli no friends in his homeland.

“In Israel Bibi will win no extra votes because I am seen in this, the official Israeli section of Congress,” he said.

“He can only lose votes with images of me with him, (Mr Netanyahu’s wife) Sara and their guests.

“It’s not often that people invite you to things when there is only downside for them from doing so.

“Therefore I am surprised — and it makes me feel that he feels, as I do, that our friendship is important to both of us and is real.’’

Mr Packer said Mr Netanyahu made a strong and positive impression on him when they first met 11 years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24 in Washington, DC. Picture: AFP

“I first met Bibi with Arnon Milchan in 2013. He was immediately enormously impressive to me,’’ said.

The two quickly became firm friends, so much so that Mr Packer accompanied the prime minister when he last addressed Congress in 2015.

But, as the gifts affair developed, the pair were legally advised to part ways.

“Because of the ongoing court case, called case 1000, Bibi and I weren’t able to talk for almost eight years,’’ he said.

“That ended about a month ago.’’

Mr Packer heaped praise on Mr Netanyahu’s speech, which predictably divided Congress along partisan lines, as Republicans cheered and leading Democrats sat stony-faced.

James Packer at home in his Beverly Hills home in California. Picture: Rayner/Coleman-Rayner

Throwing forward to the election, Mr Packer said that, should Republican nominee Donald Trump win, the two would ensure US-Israeli relations stabilised.

But he said the outcome in November was lineball.

“Bibi and Trump had a very productive relationship last time — I’m sure if that’s how the cards fell for those two it would be a productive relationship again,’’ he said.

“But I think the election is a real 50/50 proposition at the moment. It can certainly overheat from here. When you look at how much was changed in the last few weeks, anything is still possible.’’

Speaking exclusively with The Sunday Telegraph earlier this month, the businessman said Middle East peace was “one of the most difficult issues in the world”.

“Like AI, it is above my pay grade.

“When politicians are doing well domestically, it seems to me — especially when they are US presidents, for example — they try and involve themselves in Middle East peace processes, and so far even they have been unable to bridge the chasms.

“It is heartbreaking to see all the death and destruction. I am worried about anti-Semitism being on the rise.”

Originally published as I stand by my mate Benjamin Netanyahu: James Packer