Epstein’s Israel links and everything else ignored by mainstream media | The Listening Post

Key Concepts

• Epstein Files: Over 3 million documents released by the US Department of Justice detailing the network of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile, and his connections to powerful individuals.
• Palantir: A US-based data analytics firm with ties to government and surveillance, linked to Epstein and Israeli figures.
• Ceasefire (in Gaza): The term used to describe the current situation in Gaza, heavily contested as it represents a one-sided restraint by Israel rather than a true cessation of hostilities.
• Unit 8200 & 81: Elite Israeli intelligence units involved in technology and surveillance, connected to Epstein’s network.
• Jmail: A searchable archive of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails, created by independent developers to facilitate investigation of the released documents.
• Genocide in Gaza: Framing of the Israeli actions in Gaza as a continuation of genocide, rather than a “war.”

The Epstein Files and Elite Networks

The recent release of over three million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has sent ripples through Washington, London, Moscow, and Tel Aviv. The files reveal a complex network of connections between Epstein and individuals in politics, royalty, finance, and technology. Epstein functioned as an “elite fixer” and “power broker,” facilitating introductions and creating back channels for prominent figures. Notable names appearing in the emails include Donald Trump, Peter Mandelson, Bill Clinton, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Ehud Barak. Crucially, these relationships continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution.

Correspondences reveal expressions of sympathy and support for Epstein from figures like Noam Chomsky, who wrote expressing sympathy for the “horrible way you are being treated by the press and the public.” Mortaza Hussein of Dropside News emphasizes that Epstein was part of a small, globally connected group wielding immense power, acting as a “connective node” between elites in various countries. He notes Epstein often facilitated illicit activities, giving him leverage over those connected to him.

Epstein’s Connections to Israel

A significant, yet underreported, aspect of the Epstein files concerns his deep ties to Israeli politicians and intelligence figures. Epstein maintained a close friendship with Ehud Barak, the former Israeli Prime Minister, serving as an advisor and facilitating introductions to investors, including Peter Thiel’s Palantir. A 2013 phone call between Epstein and Barak, documented in the files, shows Epstein encouraging Barak to explore investment in Palantir. Two years later, Palantir opened an office in Tel Aviv.

Hussein argues that Epstein’s connections to Israel extended far beyond Barak, encompassing the Israeli political system and intelligence world. He wasn’t a public servant, but saw it as his duty to serve Israeli elites, funneling money into strategic technology sectors and pursuing Israeli geopolitical interests. This involved private sector Israeli firms linked to intelligence units like Unit 8200 and Unit 81, deploying technology for financial gain.

Media Coverage and Omissions

Despite the glaring evidence of Epstein’s Israeli connections, mainstream media coverage has been notably lacking. Instead, there has been a disproportionate focus on speculative links between Epstein and Russian intelligence, with “Vladimir Putin’s name…mentioned about a thousand times” in the emails, though no concrete evidence of Epstein being a Russian asset has emerged.

Hussein attributes this silence to the fact that Epstein’s network intersected with the Democratic Party in the US and the Labor Party in Israel, creating a conflict of interest for many media institutions. David Brooks of The New York Times exemplifies this, having written an article discouraging further coverage of the Epstein story shortly before a photo surfaced of him meeting with Epstein. Dropside News has been a notable exception, providing extensive coverage of the Israeli angles.

The Situation in Gaza: A Contested “Ceasefire”

The segment then shifts to the ongoing situation in Gaza, where over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the signing of a ceasefire deal in October. The use of the term “ceasefire” is challenged, with the argument that it misrepresents the reality of a one-sided restraint by Israel. Israeli news media consistently reports that the Netanyahu government is preparing to resume large-scale attacks on Gaza and pursue a full-scale occupation.

The international media is accused of looking away from the story, allowing Israel to operate with impunity. The term “ceasefire” is criticized for framing the situation as a “war” rather than a “genocide.” The Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv has reported that the Israeli military anticipates the collapse of the “Trump peace plan” and is preparing for a renewed assault.

Downplaying the Death Toll and Access Restrictions

A key tactic used by Israeli authorities to avoid accountability is the downplaying of casualty figures. They have consistently dismissed the numbers provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, labeling it “Hamas-run” and casting doubt on its accuracy. However, the Israeli government now acknowledges the Ministry’s current death toll of 71,000 is accurate – a figure previously disputed. Experts suggest the actual death toll is significantly higher, potentially exceeding 100,000, due to incomplete reporting and the difficulty of recovering bodies from rubble.

Furthermore, international journalists are largely barred from entering Gaza, hindering independent reporting. The Foreign Press Association has filed a case with the Israeli Supreme Court demanding access, but the court is delaying the process. The segment highlights the dehumanization of Palestinian journalists, with international outlets often discounting their reporting.

Jmail: Democratizing Access to the Epstein Files

The sheer volume of the Epstein files presents a challenge for journalists. To address this, Luke Igel and Riley Waltz created Jmail, a searchable archive of Epstein’s emails presented in a Gmail-like interface. This tool, developed in partnership with Dropside News, makes the source material more accessible and facilitates investigation. While Jmail can be unsettling to use, it provides a valuable resource for uncovering the truth behind the Epstein network.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The segment highlights a disturbing pattern of elite impunity, facilitated by complex networks and obscured by media bias. The Epstein files reveal the extent to which powerful individuals operated outside the law, while the situation in Gaza demonstrates how a lack of scrutiny allows for ongoing violence and potential genocide. The creation of tools like Jmail represents a crucial effort to democratize access to information and hold those in power accountable. The ongoing release of the Epstein files and the continued conflict in Gaza demand sustained investigative journalism and critical media analysis.