Ronald Lauder, the former close associate of the Israeli prime minister, warns that Israel risks losing enormously if Netanyahu remains in power

Billionaire Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress and a former close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urged Israelis on Friday not to re-elect him, shortly before the elections for the Knesset. In an interview with the daily Haaretz, Lauder said Israel risks losing enormously if Netanyahu remains in power and described his leadership as “a one-man show.”

Lauder argued that Israeli democracy increasingly resembles a “banana republic” and accused Netanyahu, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of damaging the country’s image. He warned that the participation of the two ministers’ far-right parties in the future government would condemn Israel.

The billionaire said that, if forced to choose, he would prefer Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, and also mentioned Avigdor Liberman among the politicians he respects.

Lauder and Netanyahu have been close since the 1980s, when the current prime minister was ambassador to the UN. Their relationship later deteriorated, including after Lauder owned Channel 10, which became critical of Netanyahu. He also claimed that, in the 1990s, the prime minister blocked a peace agreement with Syria involving a withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

Lauder further said that Israel is losing the support of Jews in the diaspora, Europe and both American parties. Although he says he remains a Zionist and criticizes his country out of concern for it, the billionaire said he has sold or donated his properties in Israel and does not intend to return.