Ronald Lauder Breaks Silence on Decades-Long Ties With Benjamin Netanyahu
Billionaire Ronald Lauder breaks decades of silence in a new interview, detailing his past friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleged financial requests, and sharp criticism of Israel's current government.
Ronald Lauder, the 82-year-old billionaire heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics empire, has broken decades of silence in a comprehensive interview with Haaretz, detailing his long-standing relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the friction that ultimately caused their estrangement.
Decades of Friendship and Political Ties
Lauder and Netanyahu first met in the 1980s when Netanyahu served as a diplomat in New York. The two developed a close personal friendship, with Lauder assisting Netanyahu in refining his public speaking skills and introducing him to American political consultant Arthur Finkelstein. Lauder noted that back then, Netanyahu was open-minded, but his political ambitions within the Likud party transformed him.
Financial Requests and Increasing Distance
The interview sheds light on tensions arising from financial requests allegedly made by Sara Netanyahu. According to associates, Sara requested a 25,000-dollar gift for Yair Netanyahu's bar mitzvah in 2004, and later asked Lauder to fund 15,000 dollars worth of cosmetics, both of which Lauder reportedly refused.
Israel is more important than my relationship with him.
Criticism of Current Government
Lauder also voiced sharp criticism of the current Israeli political landscape, specifically targeting ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. He expressed deep concern that Israel is losing international support and alienating global Jewish communities, leading him to speak out after three years of total silence between the two former friends.
