What to watch in Israel this week: Lansky’s Zionism, E.T. on Disney+, and the James Bond curse

A new three-part documentary series on Israel's KAN 11 and KAN BOX channels delves into the life of Meyer Lansky, the Jewish American mobster, in "Lansky – The Zionist Gangster." The series, created and directed by Avi Maor-Marzuk, examines Lansky's complex legacy, from his criminal enterprises to his alleged contributions to the founding of Israel.

The first episode focuses on Lansky's time in Israel during the early 1970s, when he was evading federal tax evasion charges in the United States. The documentary presents a case for Lansky's genuine affection for Israel, featuring clips from what is reportedly his only television interview. In it, he discusses his life in Israel, his daily routine of reading history books, and walking his dog. Those who knew him during that period recall him as a quiet and calm individual, even a waitress with whom he had an affair described him as mild-mannered.

However, the series also thoroughly explores Lansky's criminal empire, including his bootlegging activities during Prohibition, his unsuccessful attempt to establish a nightclub empire in Havana, and his significant role in developing Las Vegas as a gambling hub. Journalists and historians, including the late Oren Nahari, provide details of his illicit activities and trace the history of Jewish gangsters in the United States. The series addresses the modern tendency to downplay the Jewish involvement in organized crime, with several historians arguing for the importance of examining this role, stating there is no shame in understanding how these immigrants used their cunning and intelligence to found criminal gangs.

Subsequent episodes are set to investigate Lansky's purported role in helping to found Israel. This includes his financial contributions and his alleged use of influence over the longshoreman's union in the U.S. to smuggle arms to Palestine in the 1940s. The documentary also features interviews with Lansky's grandchildren and other relatives, some of whom have never spoken publicly before. For those interested in cinematic portrayals of Jewish gangsters, the film "Bugsy" on Netflix, starring Ben Kingsley as Lansky, is also mentioned.