Newly disclosed court documents have exposed extensive business communications between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and high-profile political figures, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and British politician Lord Peter Mandelson. The revelations detail Epstein’s involvement in attempted Middle Eastern energy deals and raise serious questions about inappropriate access to government information.
According to the released correspondence, Epstein emailed Mandelson on August 2, 2013, stating he had instructed Barak to contact the British politician regarding the potential sale of Paz Oil Company, Israel’s largest fuel provider. At the time, Paz controlled approximately 30% of the Israeli fuel market and would later appear on a UN list of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements.
The email exchange occurred shortly after Barak concluded his term as Israel’s defense minister in March 2013. Epstein described Paz as “an Israeli oil business that will need to be sold” and explicitly told Mandelson “I told him to give you the task.” Mandelson expressed interest not only in Paz but also in Israel’s plans for transporting offshore gas to European markets.
While the sale of Paz Oil didn’t materialize in 2013, controlling shareholder Zadik Bino did sell shares worth approximately $97 million that year due to regulatory requirements. The documents don’t clarify whether Barak ultimately contacted Mandelson about the potential deal.
The correspondence further reveals that Mandelson, then chairman of lobbying firm Global Counsel, sought Epstein’s consultation in September 2013 regarding Israeli political consultant Asaf Eisin. Additional disclosures show that during his tenure as UK Business Secretary, Mandelson suggested to Epstein that JP Morgan’s head should “mildly threaten” the British chancellor regarding financial sector concerns.
These revelations have prompted former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to call for an investigation into Mandelson’s apparent sharing of sensitive government information with Epstein. The controversy intensified with the release of a photograph allegedly showing Mandelson in his underwear at one of Epstein’s residences.
Regarding his Israeli connections, the documents indicate Barak sought Epstein’s financial advisory services on multiple occasions. An FBI memo describes Epstein as “close to the former Prime Minister of Israel” and even suggests he “trained as a spy under him.” Barak visited Epstein’s New York townhouse more than 30 times between 2013 and 2017, and Epstein reportedly advised Barak on working with controversial technology company Palantir, which specializes in AI-powered military and surveillance technology.
The ongoing release of Epstein-related documents continues to expose the extensive network of political and business connections maintained by the convicted financier, raising questions about the intersection of private business interests and government affairs.