Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has spoken out strongly against claims that Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, had ties to the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. Bennett’s remarks came after various right-wing commentators suggested that Epstein may have been working for Mossad and involved in a blackmail operation.
In a statement posted on X, Bennett expressed his frustration with these allegations, which he believes aim to damage Israel’s reputation. He stated, "As a former Israeli Prime Minister, with the Mossad having reported directly to me, I say to you with 100% certainty: The accusation that Jeffrey Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false." He emphasized that Epstein’s actions had nothing to do with Israel or its intelligence services and labeled the allegations as lies.
The claims about Epstein’s connections to Mossad have been promoted by several prominent figures, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Charlie Kirk. Carlson even suggested that Israel was "committing crimes on our soil," further fueling the controversy.
Bennett’s statement comes amid a broader conversation about Epstein’s connections with various high-profile individuals. Reports have highlighted Epstein’s meetings with celebrities and politicians from 2013 to 2017, including Bill Gates, filmmaker Woody Allen, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who is known for his opposition to current Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
Bennett’s defense of Israel against these allegations underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces in dealing with conspiracy theories and misinformation that can have serious implications for its image. His comments reflect a broader concern among Israeli leaders about the impact of such narratives on public perception and international relations.
