Ehud Barak, the former Israeli Prime Minister, has publicly expressed remorse regarding his long association with Jeffrey Epstein. His comments follow the recent release of numerous documents by the US Justice Department, shedding new light on Epstein’s extensive network and activities. Barak’s connection to the disgraced financier has been a recurring point of discussion, particularly after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in Florida.
Barak, who served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001 and later as Defense Minister, acknowledged in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 that he takes full responsibility for his decisions. He questioned whether he had exercised sufficient judgment and conducted a thorough enough examination of the situation. Despite his regret, Barak has not faced any accusations of wrongdoing or implication in Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls. He reiterated that he never observed or participated in any inappropriate behavior during his interactions with Epstein.
The former prime minister recounted a three-hour visit to Epstein’s home in the US Virgin Islands, accompanied by his wife and security personnel. He stated that only Epstein and maintenance staff were present during their visit. Barak maintained that while he was aware of Epstein’s earlier legal troubles, he believed Epstein had “paid his debt to society.” The full extent of Epstein’s crimes, he explained, only became apparent in 2019 when reinvestigations commenced, leading him and others to sever ties. He anticipates more information will emerge from the documents in the coming weeks but remains steadfast that no illegal or improper conduct on his part will be uncovered.
Barak’s relationship with Epstein extended over several years, with documents indicating regular contact even after Epstein’s 2008 plea deal which resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. His ties to Epstein first emerged prominently seven years ago, coinciding with Barak’s unsuccessful political comeback bid against then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At that time, US tax records revealed Barak received approximately $2 million in grants for unspecified “research” from the Wexner Foundation, a philanthropic organization where Epstein was a trustee. Barak had previously downplayed these connections, asserting that Epstein “didn’t support me or pay me.” However, recent documents detail plans for a 2017 stay at Epstein’s New York residence and logistical arrangements for other meetings, visits, and phone calls.
The newly released materials also offer specific glimpses into their ongoing communication. In June 2019, Barak’s wife, Nili, reportedly emailed Epstein to inform him of a delayed flight to New York. A 2013 email from Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, mentioned a dinner with Barak, his wife, and various business figures and celebrities, including Woody Allen. An exchange from 2019, roughly a week before Epstein’s arrest, shows Epstein referencing Barak, stating he was “dealing with Ehud in Israel” and finding it “making me crazy.”
Beyond these personal interactions, the documents also reveal Epstein’s efforts to connect Barak with Steve Bannon, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump. Emails from 2018 indicate Epstein’s involvement in arranging dinners or meetings between Barak and Bannon, who was reportedly seeking greater involvement in Israeli politics. There is no indication that Bannon has been implicated in any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Epstein died by suicide in detention in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of girls, leaving a lasting shadow over those who maintained connections with him.
