Netanyahu Shares Controversial Epstein Article, Sparking Debate

On November 21, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared an article from the American socialist publication Jacobin on the social media platform X. The article, titled “Jeffrey Epstein Claimed to Have Meddled in Israel’s Elections,” discusses recently revealed text messages from the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting he consulted with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak during the 2019 parliamentary elections. The article also raises questions about Epstein's alleged ties to Israeli intelligence, claiming that leaked emails indicate he may have been involved in activities on behalf of the Israeli government.

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Jeffrey Epstein, a financier with a controversial past, has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories, including allegations of connections to Israeli intelligence services, specifically the Mossad. These claims have been fueled by Epstein's Jewish heritage, his visits to Israel, and his associations with high-profile figures, including Barak. The Jacobin article posits that Epstein's relationship with Barak was closer than publicly acknowledged, which is significant given their political rivalry with Netanyahu.

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Netanyahu's decision to share the Jacobin article has drawn attention and sparked discussions on social media. Notably, his office did not provide immediate comment on the matter, as it coincided with the Jewish Sabbath. Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also weighed in, suggesting that Israel might be influencing the U.S. government regarding the release of Epstein's files. Greene stated, “We saw Jeffrey Epstein with ties to Ehud Barak... and seems to have led into their intel agencies. And I think the right question to ask is, was Jeffrey Epstein working for Israel?”

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The sharing of the Jacobin article has not been without controversy. Critics have pointed out that there is no substantial evidence supporting the claims of Epstein's ties to Israeli intelligence. The article itself describes Netanyahu's leadership as “increasingly extreme and corruption-embroiled,” which could suggest a motive for amplifying such claims against Barak, a vocal critic of Netanyahu. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly echoed this sentiment, questioning the validity of Barak's denials regarding Epstein's alleged connections.

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While the Jacobin article presents a narrative linking Epstein to Israeli intelligence, it lacks concrete evidence to substantiate these claims. The absence of substantial proof raises questions about the motivations behind both the article and Netanyahu's decision to share it. Additionally, the broader implications of these allegations remain unclear, particularly in the context of Israeli politics and international relations.

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• “We saw Jeffrey Epstein with ties to Ehud Barak. We saw him making business deals with them, also business deals that involved the Israeli government, and seems to have led into their intel agencies. And I think the right question to ask is, was Jeffrey Epstein working for Israel?” — Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. Congresswoman

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• “So I guess it’s not antisemitic to ask if Epstein as an asset for Israeli intel and we shouldn’t just take Ehud Barak’s word for it that he wasn’t? Got it.” — Megyn Kelly, Conservative Commentator

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