Former Israeli Prime Minister Barak Addresses Criticism Over Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has made public comments regarding his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Thursday, Barak expressed regret over maintaining a connection with Epstein for 15 years.

Barak was introduced to Epstein by former Israeli President Shimon Peres at a large event in Washington in 2003. The two men reportedly had a close relationship, with Barak visiting Epstein’s Manhattan home multiple times between 2015 and 2019. They also exchanged emails and met in person on several occasions.

Barak stated that he was unaware of the full extent of Epstein’s crimes until a wider investigation into him was reopened in 2019. He claimed to have never seen any unusual behavior or occurrences during their time together, despite being aware of Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The former Israeli leader acknowledged visiting Epstein’s island in the US Virgin Islands, Little Saint James, but stated that it was a single visit lasting three hours. Barak also mentioned that he saw nothing unusual on the island during his visit.

Barak sought to explain his continued business and social ties with Epstein after his 2008 conviction by citing public perception at the time. He claimed that Epstein had “paid his debt to society” and been readmitted to public life, leading influential associates to maintain their connections with him until the investigation was reopened in 2019.

The release of millions of documents related to Epstein has shed new light on his interactions with global elite figures, including Barak. The documents also reveal Epstein’s funding of Israeli groups, such as Friends of the IDF and the Jewish National Fund, as well as his ties to members of Israel’s overseas intelligence services, the Mossad.

In the interview, Barak was asked about comments he made in a recently unclassified recording with Epstein regarding Israel’s population growth. The audio reveals that Barak discussed offsetting Palestinian population growth by absorbing one million Russian-speaking immigrants and disparaged Sephardi Jews from the Middle East and North Africa.

Source: Al Jazeera