Milchan didn’t see his relationship with the Netanyahus as true friendship. In conversations with other politicians, he often imitated the couple and mocked their demands. Asked by police what would have happened had he not supplied the requested goods, he replied, “I imagine I would have been a less wanted guest” at the prime minister’s residence.

The Netanyahus, in contrast, described the Hollywood producer as one of their best friends. The prime minister said he spoke with Milchan more often than with his own brother, while Sara termed him a “close friend.”