World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder says Israel is becoming a “banana republic”

World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that Israel is increasingly resembling a “banana republic” and accusing the prime minister of concentrating power in his own hands while prioritizing personal political interests over those of the state.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Lauder, an American billionaire and former close ally of Netanyahu, expressed growing concern over Israel’s political direction and the erosion of its democratic institutions.

Lauder said he had decided to break his long-standing silence because he feared for the future of a country he had spent much of his life supporting.

His criticism focused on what he described as Netanyahu’s increasingly centralised style of governance, in which decisions are shaped by the political interests of the prime minister and his inner circle rather than broader national considerations.

According to Lauder, the problem extends beyond individual policy decisions and reflects a wider weakening of democratic norms and institutional accountability.

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The remarks are particularly significant given Lauder’s longstanding relationship with Netanyahu and his prominent role in American Jewish organizations that have supported Israel.

Lauder served as US ambassador to Austria during President Ronald Reagan’s administration and has headed the World Jewish Congress since 2007.

In that capacity, he has maintained relationships with political leaders worldwide, advocating for Israel and addressing issues affecting Jewish communities internationally.

His description of Israel as a “banana republic” represents a striking departure from his previous support for Netanyahu and reflects his concerns about the concentration of political authority and the weakening of institutional checks on government power.

The criticism also highlights growing tensions between Netanyahu and figures within the international Jewish community who have traditionally defended Israel’s political institutions and democratic credentials.

Coming from a former ally with longstanding connections to Israeli and American political circles, Lauder’s remarks underscore concerns about the direction of Netanyahu’s leadership and the future of democratic governance in Israel.

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