Ronald Lauder has never lived in Israel. But in the past year the Jewish billionaire, who serves as president of the World Jewish Congress, has given up his remaining properties in the country, a sign of the deep shift in his views of its future. A deep sense of disgust appears on his face as he recounts this. “I’ve sold my apartment in Tel Aviv, I gave my home in Be’er Sheva to the Jewish National Fund, of which I’m also the chairman. I basically cut my ties there. Because it has become so…,” Lauder grimaces, making a gesture of vomiting.
