# An Intersecting Web: An Investigative Report on Ehud Barak, Jeffrey Epstein, and the Maxwell Network ![[Ehud Barak.png]] ## Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive investigation into the sustained and multifaceted relationship between [[Ehud Barak]], a decorated former Prime Minister and intelligence chief of Israel, and [[Jeffrey Epstein]], the convicted American sex offender. The analysis reveals that Barak maintained a close personal and financial association with Epstein for over a decade, a relationship that continued and intensified long after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes became public knowledge. This association was not peripheral; it was characterized by dozens of documented meetings, private international travel, and significant financial transactions. The principal findings of this report center on two primary financial entanglements. The first involves a $2.3 million payment made to Barak between 2004 and 2006 by the Wexner Foundation, where Epstein served as a trustee. The second, and more direct, link is a 2015 business partnership in which Epstein provided millions of dollars to a firm established by Barak, Sum (E.B.) 2015. This capital was subsequently invested in Carbyne, an Israeli technology firm with deep ties to Israel's elite intelligence apparatus that develops advanced emergency communication and surveillance technology. This report contextualizes the Barak-Epstein relationship within the broader, multi-generational orbit of the Maxwell family. [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], Epstein's primary accomplice, is the daughter of the late media tycoon [[Robert Maxwell]], a figure persistently alleged by former intelligence operatives and government officials to have been a triple agent for MI6, the KGB, and Mossad. His alleged involvement in the distribution of compromised surveillance software in the 1980s provides a historical precedent for the intersection of technology, finance, and espionage that appears to be mirrored in the Epstein-Barak investment in Carbyne. While there is no direct public evidence of interaction between [[Ehud Barak]] and [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], her role as the architect of Epstein's social network and the inheritor of her father's world of influence is undeniable. The Barak-Epstein association, therefore, cannot be viewed as an isolated friendship. It represents a nexus of immense political power, international finance, and high-stakes intelligence interests, raising profound questions about the judgment and motivations of one of Israel's most formidable public figures. ## The Statesman-Operative: A Profile of Ehud Barak To comprehend the complexities of [[Ehud Barak]]'s relationship with [[Jeffrey Epstein]], it is essential to first understand the professional background and expertise of Barak himself. His career was not merely that of a politician but was forged over decades at the highest echelons of Israeli military and intelligence operations, making him an expert in risk assessment, covert action, and counter-intelligence. ### From Sayeret Matkal to Chief of Staff: A Career Forged in Covert Operations Born Ehud Brog on a kibbutz in 1942, he changed his name to Barak—Hebrew for "lightning"—upon [enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1959](https://lesley.edu/news/ehud-barak-former-prime-minister-of-israel). His [35-year military career](https://www.gov.il/apps/elections/elections-knesset-15/heb/pm/ebio_pm_0.html) was nothing short of stellar, culminating in his appointment as the [[IDF]]'s Chief of the General Staff. He is [widely recognized as the most decorated soldier in Israeli history](https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/politics-and-government/ehud-barak), a distinction that cemented his public image as a national hero. Barak's formative years were spent in Sayeret Matkal, the [[IDF]]'s elite special forces unit, renowned for its intelligence-gathering and counter-terrorism missions deep behind enemy lines. During his service, he commanded and participated in numerous high-stakes covert operations that have become legendary in Israeli military history. These include "Operation Isotope" in 1972, the daring mission to rescue hostages from the hijacked Sabena Flight 571 at Lod Airport, and the [1973 raid on Beirut, where he was disguised as a woman to assassinate PLO leaders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehud_Barak). He was also a key architect of the [famed 1976 Entebbe rescue operation in Uganda](https://dev.speakersla.com/speakers/ehud-barak/). This extensive, hands-on experience provided Barak with a deep, practical understanding of infiltration, intelligence gathering, and high-risk strategic planning. ### Head of Aman: At the Helm of Israeli Military Intelligence Barak's ascent through the military hierarchy placed him at the very center of Israel's intelligence apparatus. From 1983 to 1985, he [served as the head of Aman, the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate](https://lesley.edu/news/ehud-barak-former-prime-minister-of-israel). In this capacity, he was responsible for providing the prime minister and the cabinet with strategic intelligence warnings, comprehensive national intelligence estimates, and overseeing cross-border intelligence collection operations. This role is one of the most sensitive and critical positions in the Israeli national security establishment. Following his tenure at Aman, Barak served as head of the [[IDF]]'s Central Command and as Deputy Chief of Staff before being appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1991, a position he held until January 1995. His [leadership of the IDF during this period](https://www.gov.il/apps/elections/elections-knesset-15/heb/pm/ebio_pm_0.html) coincided with the secret Oslo peace talks. While he was not a direct participant in the negotiations, he was privy to them and was responsible for advising the political leadership on the security implications of any potential agreement and for implementing the subsequent redeployments in the West Bank and Gaza. This experience gave him a unique vantage point on the delicate interplay between intelligence assessments and high-stakes diplomacy. ### The Political Ascent: Prime Minister and Global Statesman After a brief cooling-off period in the United States, Barak transitioned from military to political life in July 1995, joining Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]]'s government as Minister of the Interior. Following Rabin's assassination, he was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in [[Shimon Peres]]'s government. In 1997, he was elected leader of the Labor Party, and in the 1999 general election, he [defeated Benjamin Netanyahu by a wide margin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehud_Barak) to become Israel's 10th Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, Barak undertook bold foreign policy initiatives. In May 2000, he [ordered the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehud_Barak), ending an 18-year occupation. His government's central effort, however, was devoted to the peace process. He engaged in far-reaching negotiations with both Syria and the Palestinian Authority, culminating in the Camp David 2000 Summit, where he, PLO Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]], and U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] [attempted to negotiate a final status agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehud_Barak). Though the summit ultimately failed and was followed by the outbreak of the Second Intifada, it solidified Barak's status as a major player on the world stage with access to the highest levels of international power. After leaving office in 2001, he remained active in business and consulting before returning to public service as Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2013 under Prime Ministers [[Ehud Olmert]] and [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]. This career trajectory, from elite commando to intelligence chief to prime minister, is crucial for context. Barak's professional life was defined by an expert-level understanding of risk, deception, and the methods used by foreign entities to compromise and influence high-value individuals. His background is not simply that of a politician; it is that of a master intelligence operative. This professional expertise makes a simplistic explanation of his prolonged association with [[Jeffrey Epstein]] as a naive misjudgment or a mere personal failing highly improbable. It frames the relationship as a potential strategic calculation, where the clear and public risks of associating with a known criminal were presumably weighed against a perceived, though unstated, value. ## The Maxwell Legacy: Espionage, Media, and Influence The world that [[Jeffrey Epstein]] and [[Ehud Barak]] inhabited was profoundly shaped by the influence and legacy of the Maxwell family. [[Ghislaine Maxwell]] was not merely an accomplice to Epstein; she was the daughter of [[Robert Maxwell]], a figure whose life was a study in power, media manipulation, and persistent allegations of international espionage. Understanding this background is critical to contextualizing the network Epstein built and the environment in which his relationship with Barak flourished. ### Robert Maxwell: The Alleged Triple Agent On the surface, [[Robert Maxwell]] was a larger-than-life media tycoon. Born into poverty as a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia, he rose to become a British member of parliament and built a global publishing empire that rivaled [[Rupert Murdoch]]'s, encompassing entities like the Daily Mirror and Macmillan Publishers. He moved in the highest circles, [photographed alongside Queen [[Elizabeth II]], [[Margaret Thatcher]], and multiple U.S. presidents](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-was-robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwells-father-who-had-alleged-ties-with-kgb-and-mossad-101753349262783.html). However, behind this public facade, a darker and more complex narrative has long persisted. Multiple credible sources, including former intelligence operatives and reports from within the UK Foreign Office, have alleged that Maxwell was a secret agent—and possibly a double or even triple agent—working simultaneously for Britain's MI6, the Soviet KGB, and Israel's Mossad. He was said to [move seamlessly between Moscow, London, and Jerusalem, trading information and influence](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-was-robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwells-father-who-had-alleged-ties-with-kgb-and-mossad-101753349262783.html). Declassified [[FBI]] files show that he was [under intense surveillance by the bureau for years during the Cold War](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/oct/14/freedomofinformation.uk) over suspicions he was a Soviet spy. Specific claims about his intelligence activities are numerous. Authors [[John Loftus]] and [[Mark Aarons]] assert that [Maxwell's contacts with Czechoslovak leaders in 1948 were crucial in the decision to arm Israel during its War of Independence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Maxwell). Perhaps most famously, former Israeli intelligence employee [[Ari Ben-Menashe]] claimed that in 1986, [Maxwell tipped off the Israeli Embassy in London that nuclear whistleblower [[Mordechai Vanunu]] was speaking to British newspapers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Maxwell), leading to Vanunu's subsequent kidnapping by Mossad. Following his mysterious death at sea in 1991, Maxwell was [given a state funeral in Israel, attended by then-Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Shamir]] and multiple high-ranking intelligence officials](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/who-is-ghislaine-maxwells-father-robert-maxwell-alleged-spy-for-israel-uk-and-russia-8938577), an honor that fueled further speculation about his service to the state. ### The PROMIS Software Affair: A Blueprint for Tech-Based Espionage One of the most significant and detailed allegations against [[Robert Maxwell]] involves his purported role in the PROMIS software scandal. PROMIS (Prosecutor's Management Information System) was originally a case-management tool [developed for the U.S. Department of Justice](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-was-robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwells-father-who-had-alleged-ties-with-kgb-and-mossad-101753349262783.html). According to whistleblowers, including [[Ari Ben-Menashe]], the software was stolen, and Israeli intelligence [embedded a "backdoor" into the code that would allow them to secretly access data from any system on which it was installed](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/who-is-ghislaine-maxwells-father-robert-maxwell-alleged-spy-for-israel-uk-and-russia-8938577). Maxwell was allegedly the ["global salesman" for this compromised version of the software](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/who-is-ghislaine-maxwells-father-robert-maxwell-alleged-spy-for-israel-uk-and-russia-8938577). Using his vast international business network, he is said to have sold the doctored program to dozens of foreign governments, intelligence agencies, and major corporations, including allegedly to sensitive U.S. national security facilities like Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory. This operation, if true, would have provided Israeli intelligence with a powerful and clandestine tool for mass surveillance on a global scale, representing a blueprint for leveraging technology for espionage. ### Ghislaine Maxwell: Inheritor of a Network [[Ghislaine Maxwell]] was raised at the center of this world of power, wealth, and intrigue. Described as her father's "golden child" and most trusted confidante, she was educated at Oxford and polished for a life in high society. After [[Robert Maxwell]]'s death and the subsequent collapse of his empire amid a massive pension fraud scandal, Ghislaine [moved to New York and soon began her partnership with [[Jeffrey Epstein]]](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-was-robert-maxwell-ghislaine-maxwells-father-who-had-alleged-ties-with-kgb-and-mossad-101753349262783.html). Her primary value to Epstein was as a high-society connector. Leveraging her father's name and her own social prowess, she provided Epstein with access to an elite world of royals, politicians, and celebrities—including [[Prince Andrew]], [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Donald Trump]]—that he, a financier with a non-descript background, [could never have entered on his own](https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-writer-who-broke-epstein-case-a-rumored-mossad-link-is-worth-digging-into/). She was the key that unlocked the doors to power. Crucially, the legacy of espionage that surrounded her father appeared to continue in her new life. A victim in the Epstein case claimed in a legal filing that she was told [[Robert Maxwell]] was in the Mossad and was ["led to believe by both Maxwell and Epstein that Epstein was as well"](https://time.com/7302177/epstein-mossad-israel-intelligence-naftali-bennett/). The operational model allegedly employed by [[Robert Maxwell]] in the PROMIS software affair presents a striking historical parallel to the 2015 investment in Carbyne, a company with surveillance technology, funded by Epstein through [[Ehud Barak]]. Both instances feature a powerful, non-state actor with deep ties to the Maxwell family network facilitating the proliferation of technology with significant surveillance capabilities, developed in close proximity to the Israeli intelligence sector. This pattern suggests that the Carbyne investment may not have been an isolated financial venture but potentially a modern iteration of a proven intelligence-gathering and influence model, with [[Ghislaine Maxwell]]'s network serving as the critical bridge between her father's era and Epstein's. ## The Barak-Epstein Connection: A Chronology of Association The relationship between [[Ehud Barak]] and [[Jeffrey Epstein]] was not a fleeting acquaintance but a sustained association that spanned more than 15 years. An examination of their interactions, documented through media reports, leaked emails, and Epstein's own private calendars, reveals a pattern of frequent and high-level contact that continued and even intensified long after Epstein's status as a convicted sex offender was a matter of public record. ### Initial Contact and Cultivation (2003-2012) The genesis of the relationship dates back to 2003. According to Barak's own account, he was [first introduced to [[Jeffrey Epstein]] by the late Israeli statesman and former Prime Minister [[Shimon Peres]]](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). This introduction reportedly took place at an event attended by numerous "American dignitaries," immediately placing their initial contact within a legitimate and high-level political context. This initial period of their association is notable because it encompasses Epstein's first major legal troubles. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution with a minor in Florida and [served a 13-month jail sentence](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). This conviction, and the extensive media coverage surrounding it, made his criminal activities public knowledge. Despite this, his relationship with Barak did not end; on the contrary, the evidence shows it was poised to enter a new, more intensive phase. ### Deepening Ties (2013-2017): A Pattern of Frequent Contact The period from 2013 to 2017 marked the apex of their association. A detailed investigation by the Wall Street Journal, based on a trove of Epstein's newly uncovered private calendars, provides a granular look at the frequency of their interactions. The calendars reveal that [Barak visited Epstein's various residences, including his mansions in New York and Florida, approximately 30 times between 2013 and 2017](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). The contact was not sporadic. Beginning in [[December 2015]], the [two men met on a monthly basis for nearly a year](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). Their association also included travel on Epstein's private aircraft. Barak confirmed he flew with Epstein on his private jet on at least two occasions, including a [2014 flight from Palm Beach to Tampa, Florida](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). Barak has stated that on these flights he was accompanied by his wife and Israeli security guards. These meetings were not purely social gatherings. They often included other prominent figures, suggesting they functioned as high-level networking and intellectual events. For instance, one scheduled meeting between Barak and Epstein also included the pioneering linguist and political activist [[Noam Chomsky]] to [discuss "Israel's policies with regard to Palestinian issues and the international arena"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/). Another meeting noted in the calendar included an executive from the consulting firm of former U.S. Secretary of State [[Henry Kissinger]]. ### Documentary and Digital Evidence Beyond the calendars, other pieces of evidence corroborate the depth and nature of their relationship. **The 2016 Daily Mail Photographs**: In 2016, the British newspaper the Daily Mail published photographs showing Barak entering Epstein's New York mansion with his face partially obscured by a neck gaiter. At the time, Epstein had long been a registered sex offender. When the photos resurfaced during Barak's 2019 political comeback, his response evolved. Initially, he gave an impassioned speech vowing to fight back against ["blood libel" and "lies," and threatened a libel suit against the newspaper](https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1563389260-ehud-barak-vows-to-fight-against-blood-libel-and-lies-after-critics-pounce-on-epstein-photographs). He later admitted it was him in the photographs, stating, ["I was there, for lunch or chat, nothing else. So what?"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/barak-says-he-visited-epstein-at-home-but-didnt-attend-sex-parties/). The photos provide undeniable visual proof of his presence at Epstein's residence years after the 2008 conviction. **The [[Peter Mandelson]] Email**: A leaked email from 2013 further illustrates the functional nature of their relationship. In the message, [[Peter Mandelson]], a prominent British politician, contacted Epstein from his work email address to ask for information about an Israeli political consultant. Mandelson wrote, ["Can you ask Ehud whether he knows/thinks of this Israeli guy living in London"](https://www.declassifieduk.org/revealed-peter-mandelson-asked-jeffrey-epstein-for-israel-advice/). Records show that Epstein then forwarded the message directly to Barak's personal email address. This exchange demonstrates that Epstein served as a trusted intermediary and a direct conduit to Barak for other powerful international figures. **The 2016 Birthday Letter**: Further insight comes from a letter written by [[Ehud Barak]] and his wife, Nili Priel, for a book compiled for Epstein's 63rd birthday in 2016. In the letter, they describe Epstein in highly suggestive terms: "You are like a closed book to many of them but you know everything about everyone," and call him ["A COLLECTOR OF PEOPLE"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/jeffrey-epstein-letters-photos). This language portrays Epstein not merely as a friend but as a central hub of information and influence. Adding to this, a map of Israel drawn on a chalkboard, bearing Barak's signature, was [reportedly displayed in Epstein's Manhattan home](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/jeffrey-epstein-letters-photos). |Date/Period|Interaction Type|Known Details/Context|Source(s)| |---|---|---|---| |2003|Initial Meeting|Introduced by [[Shimon Peres]] at an event with "American dignitaries."|[14](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/)| |2004-2006|Financial Grant|Barak received $2.3 million from the Wexner Foundation, where Epstein was a trustee.|[20](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/)| |2013-2017|Frequent Visits|Barak visited Epstein's NY and FL residences approximately 30 times, as documented in Epstein's private calendars.|[14](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/)| |2013|Email Communication|British politician [[Peter Mandelson]] emailed Epstein asking him to query Barak; Epstein forwarded the email to Barak's personal account.|[18](https://www.declassifieduk.org/revealed-peter-mandelson-asked-jeffrey-epstein-for-israel-advice/)| |2014|Private Flight|Barak flew with Epstein on his private jet from Palm Beach to Tampa, FL, accompanied by his wife and security.|[14](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/)| |Dec 2015 - late 2016|Monthly Meetings|Barak met with Epstein on a monthly basis for nearly a year.|[14](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/)| |2015|Business Partnership Formed|Barak formed Sum (E.B.) 2015, a limited partnership largely funded by Epstein, to invest in the tech startup Carbyne.|[20](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/)| |[[January 2016]]|Visit to NY Mansion|Barak was photographed entering Epstein's New York mansion, years after Epstein's 2008 sex crime conviction.|[15](https://www.timesofisrael.com/barak-says-he-visited-epstein-at-home-but-didnt-attend-sex-parties/)| |2016|Personal Letter|Barak and his wife contributed a letter to a book for Epstein's 63rd birthday, describing him as a "COLLECTOR OF PEOPLE."|[19](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/jeffrey-epstein-letters-photos)| ## A Partnership in Finance and Technology The connection between [[Ehud Barak]] and [[Jeffrey Epstein]] extended beyond social visits and networking into significant and controversial financial partnerships. These dealings provided a tangible structure to their relationship and have since become the subject of intense scrutiny, particularly given the nature of the investments and the timing of the transactions, which occurred years after Epstein's criminal record was established. ### The Wexner Foundation Grant: $2.3 Million for "Research" Between 2004 and 2006, while Barak was a private citizen after his first term as prime minister, he [received $2.3 million from the Wexner Foundation](https://www.timesofisrael.com/wexner-foundation-2-3-million-to-barak-was-for-2-reports-1-wasnt-finished/). The Ohio-based foundation, established by retail magnate [[Leslie Wexner]], focuses on leadership development for Jewish leaders in North America and public officials in Israel. According to a statement released by the foundation in 2020, the payment was for two commissioned research papers. The first, a 267-page study on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was completed and delivered as planned. The second paper, on the subject of leadership, [was never finished; the foundation received an abstract and some research but not a full report](https://www.timesofisrael.com/wexner-foundation-2-3-million-to-barak-was-for-2-reports-1-wasnt-finished/). The foundation's management decided at the time that the work received was sufficient to justify the full payment. Barak reportedly [did not complete the second paper due to his return to politics in 2007](https://www.timesofisrael.com/wexner-foundation-2-3-million-to-barak-was-for-2-reports-1-wasnt-finished/). The controversy surrounding this payment stems from [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s role at the foundation. During the period the grant was awarded, [Epstein served as a trustee of the Wexner Foundation](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/). This connection became a political liability for Barak, with opponents like Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] releasing campaign videos titled, "What else has sex offender Epstein given to Barak?" and claiming Epstein managed the foundation. The Wexner Foundation has since worked to distance itself from Epstein, stating that an [independent probe found his role was purely administrative, that he never donated to the foundation or had any involvement in its grant-making decisions, and that he was fired in 2007](https://www.timesofisrael.com/wexner-foundation-2-3-million-to-barak-was-for-2-reports-1-wasnt-finished/) when the first pedophilia suspicions emerged. Nonetheless, Epstein's official position at the time created an undeniable, if indirect, financial link between him and Barak. ### The Carbyne Investment: A Nexus of Finance, Intelligence, and Surveillance A far more direct and consequential financial tie was forged in 2015. In that year, Barak [formed a limited partnership company in Israel named "Sum (E.B.) 2015"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/). A large portion of the capital for this partnership—reportedly millions of dollars—was provided by [[Jeffrey Epstein]], making him an active business partner with Barak. The purpose of Sum (E.B.) 2015 was to invest in a high-tech Israeli startup initially called Reporty, which later rebranded as Carbyne. The technology developed by Carbyne is critical to understanding the significance of this investment. Carbyne creates [advanced emergency communication solutions that provide 911 dispatchers and first responders with real-time video streaming, precise geolocation, and other data directly from a caller's smartphone or connected device](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/). While designed for public safety, this technology inherently possesses powerful surveillance capabilities, offering the potential for real-time access to a device's camera, microphone, and location data. The company's deep connections to the Israeli security establishment have amplified these concerns. Carbyne's leadership includes not only Barak, a former [[IDF]] Chief of Staff and head of military intelligence, but also [[Pinchas Buchris]], a [former commander of the [[IDF]]'s elite and highly secretive signals intelligence unit, Unit 8200](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbyne_\(company\)). This unit is often compared to the U.S. National Security Agency ([[NSA]]) and is a world leader in cyber-espionage. The involvement of Epstein, a man known for cultivating connections in technology and defense circles, in funding a company with such sensitive technology and direct links to Israel's intelligence elite has [fueled speculation that the investment was about more than just financial returns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbyne_\(company\)). It represents a clear convergence of private finance, state-level intelligence expertise, and dual-use surveillance technology. |Financial Tie|Amount|Date(s)|Stated Purpose / Vehicle|Jeffrey Epstein's Role|Key Findings & Controversies| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Wexner Foundation Grant|$2.3 Million|2004-2006|Commissioned research on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and leadership.|Trustee of the Wexner Foundation at the time of the grant.|Second research report was never completed. The foundation denies Epstein had any influence on the grant decision.| |Carbyne Investment|Reportedly millions of dollars|2015|Investment in the tech startup Carbyne (formerly Reporty) via the Sum (E.B.) 2015 limited partnership.|Provided a large part of the capital for Barak's partnership, making him a direct business partner.|Carbyne develops surveillance-capable technology and has deep ties to Israeli intelligence, including former commanders of Unit 8200.| ## The Connection to Ghislaine Maxwell While the evidence trail connecting [[Ehud Barak]] to [[Jeffrey Epstein]] is extensive and well-documented, the link to Epstein's chief accomplice, [[Ghislaine Maxwell]], is far more tenuous. An examination of the available public records reveals no direct interaction between them, a finding that is significant in its own right and may offer clues about the sophisticated nature of Epstein's operation. ### Absence of Direct Evidence Based on a thorough review of available information, including the thousands of pages of court documents unsealed in connection with the Epstein case, there is no evidence of any direct meetings, communications, or interactions between [[Ehud Barak]] and [[Ghislaine Maxwell]]. This absence of evidence is corroborated by testimony from within Epstein's circle. During a deposition, Epstein accuser [[Johanna Sjoberg]] was asked by lawyers whether she had ever met a series of powerful people associated with Epstein. When specifically asked if she had ever met former Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Barak]], [she replied that she had not](https://www.timesofisrael.com/unsealed-epstein-docs-reveal-details-on-known-abuse-cases-dont-implicate-new-people/). This testimony from someone who was intimately involved in Epstein's world is a crucial piece of information that points away from any direct link between Barak and Maxwell. ### Contextual Proximity Despite the lack of a direct connection, [[Ghislaine Maxwell]]'s central role in Epstein's entire enterprise means she was contextually proximate to all of his high-level relationships, including the one with Barak. She was the [primary architect and manager of the social network that facilitated Epstein's access to the global elite](https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-writer-who-broke-epstein-case-a-rumored-mossad-link-is-worth-digging-into/). Photographs from inside Epstein's Manhattan mansion show him pictured with a host of world leaders and celebrities, and Maxwell is frequently seen alongside him, underscoring her role as his constant partner in cultivating these connections. Her conviction for recruiting, grooming, and trafficking underage girls for Epstein makes her an inextricable part of the criminal enterprise with which Barak chose to associate. Therefore, while Barak may not have interacted with her directly, he was knowingly associating with the public face of an operation for which Maxwell was the chief operational officer. The lack of a documented link between Barak and Maxwell is, in itself, a significant finding. It aligns with Barak's own consistent statements that he ["never met Epstein in the company of women or young girls" and never witnessed any parties or inappropriate behavior](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/) during his many visits. If these statements are taken at face value, they suggest a deliberate compartmentalization of Epstein's activities. The meetings with Barak appear to have been carefully curated to project an image of serious intellectual and geopolitical discourse, involving figures like [[Noam Chomsky]] and executives from [[Henry Kissinger]]'s firm. This stands in stark contrast to the sordid reality of sexual abuse and trafficking that Maxwell was simultaneously facilitating. This implies a sophisticated, two-tiered operation: one tier, managed by Maxwell, for sexual procurement and potential blackmail, and a separate tier for cultivating strategic relationships with figures like Barak, providing them with a sanitized, plausible-deniability version of his world. This makes the Barak-Epstein relationship appear even more strategic and less like a casual friendship. ## Public Fallout and Official Statements As [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s crimes returned to the international spotlight with his 2019 arrest, his long-standing relationship with [[Ehud Barak]] became a major political scandal in Israel, coinciding with Barak's attempted political comeback. Barak's public response to the controversy evolved over time, shifting from aggressive denial and deflection to carefully worded expressions of regret, all while his political opponents sought to capitalize on the association. ### A Narrative of Denial and Deflection When photographs of Barak entering Epstein's New York mansion in 2016 were republished by the Daily Mail in July 2019, his initial reaction was forceful and accusatory. In an impassioned speech at a campaign event, Barak vowed to fight back against what he termed a [torrent of "blood libel" and "lies"](https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1563389260-ehud-barak-vows-to-fight-against-blood-libel-and-lies-after-critics-pounce-on-epstein-photographs). He framed the controversy as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by his chief rival, Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]], stating, "whoever gets in the way of Netanyahu and his extremists... becomes a target of lies, incitement, gets called a traitor and worse". He threatened to sue the Daily Mail for libel, telling them to ["prepare their credit cards"](https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/politics/1563451099-daily-mail-defends-photos-linking-israel-s-barak-to-epstein). While admitting he had visited Epstein's homes, Barak was unwavering in his assertion that he was unaware of any criminal activity. He told The Daily Beast that he had met Epstein dozens of times but insisted, ["I never attended a party with him. I never met Epstein in the company of women or young girls"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/barak-says-he-visited-epstein-at-home-but-didnt-attend-sex-parties/). He maintained that his visits were for "lunch or chat" and nothing more. ### Expressions of Regret Following Epstein's death by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019, Barak's tone shifted discernibly. The aggressive threats of legal action were replaced by statements of remorse for the association itself. "On this day, I am thinking of his victims, the price (they paid) and the terrible things he did," [Barak told Israel's Channel 13 news](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-bark-on-jeffrey-epsteins-death-i-wish-id-never-met-him/). He added, "Like many respectable people in the US, in retrospect, I would have preferred never to have made contact with him... I wish I'd never met him". In the wake of the 2019 arrest, Barak also stated that he had instructed his lawyers to explore dissolving his business ties with Epstein, specifically the limited partnership that had invested in Carbyne. He described the long-rumored allegations of sex trafficking by Epstein as "abhorrent" and said that once things became clear, ["that contact was immediately severed"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-bark-on-jeffrey-epsteins-death-i-wish-id-never-met-him/). ### The Political Weaponization of the Scandal The Barak-Epstein connection erupted as a hot-button issue during the campaign for Israel's September 2019 elections, in which Barak was attempting a political comeback with a new party aimed at unseating Netanyahu. [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and his right-wing Likud party [seized upon the relationship as a powerful political weapon](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/). Netanyahu repeatedly called for a criminal investigation into Barak's ties with Epstein and used social media to attack his rival. The Likud party produced and distributed a campaign video under the heading, ["What else has sex offender Epstein given to Barak?"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/jeffrey-epstein-was-ehud-baraks-business-partner-as-late-as-2015-report/) which highlighted the $2.3 million payment from the Wexner Foundation and questioned what Barak had provided in return. Netanyahu's tweets juxtaposed Barak's name with that of the "convicted pedophile [[Jeffrey Epstein]]," [effectively using the scandal to tarnish Barak's reputation and derail his political ambitions](https://www.camera.org/article/daily-beast-falsely-attributes-claim-about-jeffrey-epstein-money-to-prime-minister-netanyahu/). The controversy became a central, and deeply personal, feature of the election campaign, demonstrating how Barak's private associations had created a significant public vulnerability. ## Analysis and Conclusion The extensive body of evidence detailing the relationship between [[Ehud Barak]] and [[Jeffrey Epstein]] leaves a series of profound and disturbing questions. While direct participation by Barak in Epstein's criminal activities remains unproven, his willing, sustained, and multifaceted association with a convicted sex offender, particularly given Barak's own elite intelligence background, demands a more complex explanation than simple negligence or poor judgment. ### The Unanswered Question: Why? The central, unresolved question is why a man of [[Ehud Barak]]'s stature and expertise would maintain such a close relationship with [[Jeffrey Epstein]] for over 15 years, continuing and even deepening it after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Barak's public explanation is that he was deceived by a man who presented a respectable facade. He described Epstein as ["a terrible version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," an "intelligent, well-connected man"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-met-with-jeffrey-epstein-dozens-of-times-flew-on-private-plane-report/) whose dark side was hidden from him. This explanation is difficult to reconcile with the facts. Barak is not a typical politician. His career was built on assessing threats, understanding human intelligence, and recognizing the methods of compromise and influence. The notion that he was completely unaware of the "Mr. Hyde" aspect of a man whose sex crimes were a matter of public record strains credulity. The relationship was not a passive one; it involved dozens of meetings, international travel, and direct financial partnerships. This suggests a deliberate and calculated association, where the known reputational risks were deemed acceptable in exchange for some perceived benefit. The letter Barak and his wife wrote for Epstein's birthday, [describing him as a man who "know[s] everything about everyone,"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/05/jeffrey-epstein-letters-photos) hints at what that benefit might have been: access to Epstein's unparalleled network of information and influence. ### The Convergence of Intelligence and Finance The most compelling, if not definitively proven, hypothesis is that the relationship represented a strategic nexus of intelligence and finance. The history of [[Robert Maxwell]] and the PROMIS software affair provides a potential blueprint for such an operation: using a well-connected, non-state actor to facilitate the proliferation of surveillance technology for intelligence purposes. The 2015 investment in Carbyne is the ultimate manifestation of this convergence. In this transaction, a convicted sex offender with alleged intelligence ties (Epstein) provided millions of dollars to a former head of military intelligence (Barak) to invest in a company developing surveillance-capable technology, a company whose leadership also includes a former commander of Israel's premier cyber-espionage unit (Unit 8200). It is a confluence of actors and interests that is too specific to be dismissed as mere coincidence. Epstein, perhaps continuing a Maxwell family modus operandi, appeared to be collecting not just people, but proximity to power and sensitive, next-generation technology. [[Ehud Barak]], as a former intelligence chief, a global statesman, and a tech investor, was the perfect partner for such an endeavor. ### A Legacy Redefined The association with [[Jeffrey Epstein]] has irrevocably complicated [[Ehud Barak]]'s legacy. A figure once viewed almost exclusively through the lens of a national hero—Israel's most decorated soldier and a prime minister who took bold risks for peace—is now also seen through the prism of this deeply compromised relationship. While there is no evidence that Barak had knowledge of or participated in Epstein's heinous crimes, his willing and prolonged association with the criminal enterprise is a matter of public record. His decision to partner financially with Epstein years after his conviction, particularly in a venture involving sensitive surveillance-adjacent technology, raises fundamental questions about his judgment and motivations. The full truth of their relationship may never be known, but the established facts leave a permanent stain, forcing a re-evaluation of a towering figure and serving as a stark case study in the hidden and often disturbing intersections of power, money, and intelligence in the modern world.