In the most exclusive – and secure – residential street in Israel, rich and famous neighbours share keys to their homes, access to their swimming pools and wine and dine each other long into the night.
It was in this gated community on Hadar Street, in the ancient township of Caesarea, about 45 minutes north of Tel Aviv, where troubled billionaire James Packer six years ago hosted some of Israel’s most powerful and influential in his $2 million beachside villa.
Among them were prime ministers, film stars and producers, pop singers and filthy-rich business partners. Crates of high-end champagne – pink and white – were consumed and gifted, boxes of cigars distributed (sometimes smoked straight from the humidor) and expensive jewellery offered to the guests. Anything was on the menu, with dinners prepared on occasion by the late Justin Bull, a celebrity chef to the stars, brought specially from Australia, including barbecued meat, seafood and vintage wines.
But it was these relationships that have plunged Israel into uncharted territory over the past few years, dominating political life and fuelling a debate about the state of democracy and the country’s legal system.