| THE LIE Every email in the Epstein files proves that Jeffrey Epstein ran a sex-trafficking operation on behalf of Israel. |
| THE TRUTH There is no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israel—any more than he worked for Russia, Saudi Arabia, or any other country mentioned in the files. |
| BACKGROUNDOn February 11, 2026, Cenk Uygur claimed that “every email” in the Epstein files demonstrates that Epstein was “an Israeli operation,” arguing that the emails show Epstein and his associates assisting Israel—but never the United States or other countries.Uygur further alleged that the reason others do not advance this claim is fear of what he called an “Israel First Mafia.” |
TRUTH EXPLAINED
- There is no credible evidence that Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israel or for the Mossad. No emails show Epstein communicating with Mossad handlers, and no intelligence intercepts, internal memos, court findings, or investigative reports support the claim.
- The files show that Israel warned about Epstein’s trafficking of teenage girls and suggest that Epstein even trafficked Israeli teens. (DOJ)
- Other emails show Epstein expressed a dislike for Israel, blamed the Mossad for Robert Maxwell’s death, and engaged in pro-Islamic initiatives. (DOJ), (DOJ), (Middle East Monitor), (Daily Caller)
- Epstein never discussed Mossad contacts but did mention ties to Russia’s FSB intelligence agency and helped Kremlin-linked figures with real estate and offshore schemes. Still, he has not been accused of being a Russian asset. (Le Monde)
- Several of Epstein’s close associates were outspoken critics of Israel, including Steve Bannon and Noam Chomsky. (Politico), (Democracy Now), (i24 News)
- Epstein’s most notable Israeli tie was Ehud Barak, whom he introduced within his global network. Barak is associated with the anti-Zionist Left and an opponent of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who publicly criticized Barak’s association with Epstein. (Times of Israel), (Times of Israel)
- Epstein courted elites everywhere, including U.S. officials like William Burns—yet Israel alone is cast as the mastermind. (WSJ)
- The only “smoking gun” is a discredited FBI confidential informant claiming Epstein was a Mossad agent. That informant is a Holocaust denier and scam artist convicted of mass fraud. (Times of Israel)
- If an “Israel First Mafia” existed, Uygur’s daily attacks against Israel would be unlikely. Even his co-host Ana Kasparian has noted widespread hostility toward Israelis. (Facebook)
- If this were an Israeli blackmail operation, it produced no benefit; anti-Israel sentiment has intensified, including in U.S. politics. (INSS), (Gallup)
| QUOTES“‘Is Israel blackmailing the U.S. government with the Jeffrey Epstein files?’ What a ridiculous kind of unfounded, unverified, allegation. It emanates from someone’s imagination.” — US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee |
| TakeawayCenk Uygur takes a man who courted elites across the U.S., Russia, Europe, and the Middle East and singles out Israel alone, despite the files showing no Israeli handlers, no tasking, and no benefit to Israel at all. When the evidence points everywhere else—or nowhere—Israel is still blamed by default. And when readers are tempted to notice that, Cenk Uygur tells them not to look too closely and not to ask questions. Blame first, research never. |
