As documented in the book Confidential: Years ago, Yair Lapid was hired by Arnon Milchan to run the television division of New Regency Films in Los Angeles. Milchan was friends with Yair's father Tommy Lapid. The show Malcolm in the Middle was produced by New Regency during that period. The two [Yair and Arnon] developed a close friendship that has lasted to this day. When Mr. Milchan was honored at Paramount Studios a few years ago, it was Yair Lapid who was asked to give a heart-warming key-note speech about his close friend Arnon:
When Lapid needed help establishing his new political party, Yesh Atid, Milchan was there to help (financially and otherwise). In fact, even Arnon Milchan's daughter Elinor signed on as a founding member of the party. Yesterday it all paid off when Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid Party won a whopping 19 seats in Israel's parliament (Knesset), making it the second largest political party in Israel. Lapid is now in a position to dictate terms for the establishment of the next Israeli government because Netanyahu does not have enough seats without Lapid to establish a government. Since Mr. Milchan is close friends with both Mr. Lapid and Mr. Netanyahu, once again, he is uniquely positioned to play the key role in brokering the establishment of the next Israeli government. While the media in the US, and the US administration rush to find out who Yair Lapid is, Arnon Milchan is a hundred miles ahead of them as usual.
SIDENOTE: Yair Lapid was interviewed extensively for the book Confidential. And here's a little tip for the know-nothing media; Yair Lapid's son worked on Capital Hill for US Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) until the Senator was defeated in the 2010 midterm elections. Mark Mellman, Lapid's campaign manager also did work for Russ Fiengold. Connect the dots. Go to it... use the info without giving credit... we are use to it.
UPDATE: As predictable as the sun rising in the east, Israel's Ha'aretz, 48 hours after our post, picks up on our analysis: "Now the two good friends of Hollywood film producer Arnon Milchan can make use of him to forge mutual trust and to create the strong axis around which the next government will be created." You are welcome Ha'aretz.
