Three thousand seven hundred ten documents released by the DOJ place **Ehud Barak** — former Prime Minister of Israel and Nobel Peace Prize laureate — at the center of a years-long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein that stretched from technology deal-making to brokered meetings with Qatari royalty.
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The emails span 2012 to 2018 — a decade that saw Epstein convicted, registered as a sex offender in 2008, and yet continue operating. Barak was present throughout.
"Proud to Be Calling You My Friend"
On January 20, 2014, Barak sent Epstein a birthday message that left no ambiguity about how he viewed the relationship.
"I'm proud to be able calling you my friend. Tried to surprise you with live performance of The Song but failed to reach you. All the best from Nili as well."
Epstein replied: "thank you . look forward to seeing you, lots to talk about."
The document (EFTA01941051) was sent years after Epstein's 2008 Florida conviction — a fact the emails never acknowledge.
Barak, Epstein, and Larry Summers at the Regency
In September 2012, Lesley Groff — Epstein's personal assistant — sent a flurry of messages coordinating a meeting in New York between Barak, Epstein, and Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard president.
Groff wrote on September 23, 2012: "I understand from Jeffrey he is to meet with Barak and Larry Summers tomorrow. Can you advise if this is at 12:00 or 2:00 and where is convenient for Barak to meet with Jeffrey and Larry?"
The meeting was eventually set for 11:15 a.m. at The Regency hotel on Park Avenue. Barak's assistant Nili Priell confirmed the location: room 1131.
A separate email shows Groff had initially asked whether Epstein could "bring Jes Staley and Andrew Feldstein along as well" — Staley then being a senior JPMorgan executive. The document (EFTA02158315) shows the reach of Epstein's social convening power, with Barak as a central fixture.
Israeli Tech Startups Routed Through Epstein
Barak used Epstein as a conduit to attract investment and credibility for Israeli technology companies.
In August 2013, Barak emailed Epstein and Boris Nikolic — Epstein's scientific advisor and eventual surprise beneficiary of his will — pitching Parasight Ltd., an Israeli security technology firm. "PI do. Especially if Parasight is considerably ahead of the wave," Nikolic replied, suggesting he would help make introductions despite a potential conflict of interest.
A year later, in August 2014, Barak forwarded detailed materials on GuardiCore, an Israeli cybersecurity company, directly to Epstein. The email (EFTA02719110) included pitch documents and noted: "I understand you have Pavel's contact info on a different earlier email from me. Pl keep me updated. Let me know if you need me."
Barak sent the message from Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
By July 2016 — eight years after Epstein's conviction — an investment term sheet appeared in Epstein's files for Levitection Ltd., another Israeli company. The document (EFTA00599472) identifies the investor as "an entity under the control of Mr. Ehud Barak," with a proposed $1.02 million initial investment and $680,000 in deferred capital — a $1.7 million total commitment at a $2.7 million pre-money valuation.
Why this deal was in Epstein's possession is not addressed in the documents.
The Qatar Connection, December 2018
Seven months before Epstein's final arrest, Barak traveled to London to meet Sheikh Hamad — a Qatari royal — at 100 Knightsbridge. The meeting was arranged through a third party named Jabor Al Thani.
Epstein was carbon-copied on the follow-up email.
Al Thani wrote on December 21, 2018: "HE Sheikh Hamad was extremely pleased to meet you again after a long time. He thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and discussions and look forward to future meetings. When you have the time please email me more specific details about the security company we discussed about."
Barak forwarded Al Thani's message to Epstein with a two-word reply: "Thx Jeff. Well done."
The document (EFTA01010686) suggests Epstein had a role in brokering the London meeting — and that whatever "security company" was discussed was meant to loop back to him.
Epstein's Staff Inside Barak's Apartment
The documents also reveal that Epstein's staff had ongoing access to Barak's New York apartment.
A November 2017 email from Lesley Groff to Barak's office (EFTA02229310) describes a failed attempt to enter the residence: "we are having a bit of a difficulty with Kobi..he says he doesn't know our staff and won't disarm the alarm for us..we provided the previous guy all the passports/ID's/Drivers License for each of the employees who might need to enter your apartment."
Groff explained she had been trying to send someone "to leave a little food and flowers like we always do" — indicating the arrangement was routine, not exceptional.
The email was sent November 21, 2017 — nearly two years before Epstein's arrest and the same month the New York Times would begin publishing its investigation into Harvey Weinstein.
Conclusion
The 3,710 documents linking Barak to Epstein span a decade across three continents. They show a relationship of mutual benefit: Epstein opened doors to Gulf royalty and financial power; Barak supplied Israeli tech deal flow and geopolitical credibility.
The relationship continued uninterrupted through Epstein's 2008 conviction, his years as a registered sex offender, and into the final months before his 2019 arrest. The documents do not show what Barak knew about Epstein's crimes — but they show he kept calling.
All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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This analysis references publicly released documents from the Epstein case archive. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law. Language such as “documents indicate” reflects what appears in source materials, not conclusions of guilt. Readers are encouraged to review the cited source documents directly.