Packer not an Israeli citizen says his adviser

Sunday 26th of April 2015

An adviser to Australian casino mogul James Packer has denied media reports that the Crown Resorts chairman has become an Israeli citizen.

After the Hollywood reporter and subsequently Australian Financial Review reported that Packer had taken up Israeli citizenship, one of Packer's advisers texted AFR Weekend to deny the rumor 30 minutes after the story was posted online on Thursday, the Australian Financial Review reported.

"James is not an Israeli citizen," Packer’s adviser was quoted as texting to the publication.

The rumor first came to light after film producer Brett Ratner told a dinner that his friend and business partner, Packer, who was in the room at the time, had taken out Israeli citizenship after buying property near the Prime Minister.

"James Packer is not Jewish," Ratner said at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where he was being honoured by the Anti-Defamation League Entertainment Industry Awards.

"Though he actually recently became an Israeli citizen and happens to live next door to [Israeli prime minister] Benjamin Netanyahu [in Tel Aviv]. James, you are now the first non-Jewish Zionist in history."

A spokesman for Ratner said: "Brett's comments were incorrect; Mr Packer is definitely not a citizen of Israel."

The Australian newspaper revealed earlier this month that Packer is looking at business opportunities in Israel in the technology sector