Arnon Milchan

01

Co-owner of New Regency Productions in partnership with News Corporation's 20th Century Fox, one of Hollywood's most financially successful independent production entities; New Regency has produced over 100 films including Fight Club (1999), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), The Revenant (2015, 6 Academy Awards), 12 Years a Slave (2013, Best Picture Academy Award), and Free Guy (2021). Milchan also holds significant real estate and business investments in Israel through his family holding company Milchan Brothers.

02

In a November 2013 interview on Israeli television (Channel 2), Milchan openly admitted that he had served as a covert operative for Israeli intelligence (widely understood to be the Mossad and/or LAKAM, Israel's scientific intelligence unit) for over 30 years; he described procuring classified dual-use technologies — including components potentially relevant to Israel's nuclear weapons program such as krytrons (nuclear detonator triggers) and other restricted materials — through a network of shell companies and business relationships in the United States and Europe. The admissions confirmed long-standing reporting about Milchan's intelligence role.

03

Milchan's close personal relationship with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu became a central element of Israeli police Case 1000 (opened 2016): investigators alleged that Netanyahu and his family received luxury gifts including boxes of expensive champagne, cigars, and jewelry — valued at over $200,000 — primarily from Milchan (and to a lesser degree from Australian billionaire James Packer); in alleged exchange, Netanyahu sought to use his political influence to extend Milchan's Israeli tax exemption and sought assistance from US Secretary of State John Kerry in obtaining a long-term US visa for Milchan. In 2018, Israeli police recommended that prosecutors indict both Netanyahu and Milchan on corruption charges.