Former Israeli Leader Rejects Allegations Jeffrey Epstein Worked for Mossad

Defence affairs analysis

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett dismissed allegations that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israeli intelligence services, describing the claims from U.S. media figures as being part of “a vicious wave of slander and lies” against Israel.

The Israeli politician on Monday said he had “100% certainty” that Epstein did not have any ties to the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, or the country itself.  

“The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false,” Bennett said in a post on X. “There’s a vicious wave of slander and lies against my country and my people, and we just won’t take it anymore.”

The denial comes after right-wing commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested on Friday without evidence that Epstein was likely working for the Israeli government. Similar claims have been levied by others in the past but have not been proven.

Epstein recently returned to national headlines after the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month denying that any evidence supports the existence of an Epstein “client list” or that the disgraced financier was murdered. The memo has caused a rift between President Donald Trump and his MAGA base, who have long promoted conspiracy theories tied to Epstein and his 2019 death behind bars. Trump previously promised during his 2024 campaign that he would release records about Epstein if he won the election, but since the memo’s release has urged his supporters to move on.