Mariah Carey Stirs Controversy In Israel

Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Mariah Carey

The pop star is at the center of a media storm after fielding questions about former fiancée James Packer’s link to a corruption investigation involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arriving Monday afternoon in Tel Aviv to promote a new partnership with local skincare line Premier Dead Sea Cosmetics, Mariah Carey presided over a press conference followed by select TV interviews where the topic soon turned to the pop star’s ex-fiancé, Australian billionaire James Packer.

Packer is a close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, having been introduced to him by New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, and has been wanted since March by Israeli police for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation regarding alleged corruption and illegal gift giving to Netanyahu by several wealthy businessmen.

“I don’t know where the mother— is,” Carey laughingly said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 News when asked about Packer’s whereabouts. “How am I supposed to know? I don’t know, for real. I really have no idea about the political stuff that goes on, I don’t pay attention to it.”

The couple broke off their engagement in October.

Israel’s Channel 10 reported in November that Packer allegedly gifted Netanyahu’s son Yair luxurious holidays around the world and use of his private jet, implying those were also extended to the prime minister and his wife Sara. The report also claimed that Packer gave Sara Netanyahu and Yossi Cohen, the head of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, tickets to Carey’s concert in Israel that took place in August 2015, several weeks after the then-dating Packer and Carey visited the country together and had a private dinner with the Netanyahus.

Despite rumors Carey might be summoned for questions in the investigation while in Israel, sources say local police are not looking to question her in the case.

Click here to read more.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter – David Caspi