Former head of Mossad Yossi Cohen, with Benjamin Netanyahu, Photo: GPO via Bestimage / Bestimage / Profimedia Similar
A wave of recently released reports and documents detailing the relationship between former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Jeffrey Epstein has reignited claims that Epstein worked for Israel's Mossad, a theory that Israeli intelligence sources and senior political leaders strongly reject, Fox News writes.
Former Israeli intelligence officials told Fox News that Epstein never worked for the Mossad, an allegation inconsistent with the way the agency operates.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also dismissed the claims, writing on X: “Jeffrey Epstein's unusually close relationship with Ehud Barak does not suggest that Epstein worked for Israel. It proves otherwise.”
In the same post, Netanyahu stepped up his criticism, writing: “Stuck in losing elections over two decades ago, Barak has spent years obsessively trying to undermine Israeli democracy, collaborating with the radical left to overthrow the elected Israeli government.”
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also vehemently denied the allegations, writing: “As the former Prime Minister of Israel, with the Mossad reporting directly to me, I tell you with 100% certainty: The allegation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or that the Mossad ran a blackmail ring is categorically and utterly false. Epstein's conduct, both criminal and just plain despicable, had nothing to do with The Mossad or the State of Israel. Epstein never worked for the Mossad.”
Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen also dismissed the claims in a podcast interview with The Free Press, saying Epstein had “absolutely nothing” to do with the Mossad — “not as an agent, not a collaborator. Nothing.”
Barak, who was prime minister from 1999 to 2001 and later defense minister in Netanyahu's government, became one of Netanyahu's most vocal political opponents.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barak's office fired back, describing Netanyahu's remarks as politically motivated and reiterating that he regrets ever meeting Epstein, while denying any wrongdoing.
“Barak has repeatedly and publicly stated that he regrets ever meeting Jeffrey Epstein. There is no credible allegation — none — that Barak engaged in any illegal or inappropriate behavior,” the statement read.
Barak's office also called Netanyahu's attacks “the desperate actions of a failed and panicked politician” and “a pathetic attempt to distract from his catastrophic performance”, accusing the prime minister of trying to shift blame for national failures.
Newly discovered materials continue to document Barak's personal and professional interactions with Epstein, including stays at Epstein's New York apartment and meetings arranged through the financier.
