17 july 2019
Natan Eshel
'I am a feminist,' says former PM at election campaign launch, adding that he is severing all business links to accused child sex trafficker; he also brands Netanyahu's son 'an inciting, prostitute-user who lives a parasitic life', highlighting PM's ties to Natan Eshel, 'a convicted sex offender'
Former prime minister Ehud Barak launched his latest election campaign Wednesday evening, repeating his denial that he had anything to do with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's alleged actions.
"I am a feminist. The deeds attributed to Epstein are heinous and I had nothing to do with them," said Barak at the Tel Aviv event for his new Israel Democratic Party. "I've ordered Epstein removed from my businesses, and I plan to file a slander lawsuit against the newspaper behind this plot against me."
The British newspaper the Daily Mail published three-year-old images of Barak earlier Wednesday, showing him entering the New York home of the accused child sex trafficker and appeared to link him to the disgraced financier's "parties" with young girls.
"I thought it (Epstein's earlier conviction in 2008) was a one-time slip, and once it happened again I announced that I am disengaging from him entirely," said Barak.
The former prime minister's dealings with Epstein came under scrutiny in the Israeli media after an investigative report last year revealed that in 2004, Barak received more than $2 million for what was described as research from the Wexner Foundation, to which Epstein was connected.
The foundation later stated it is committed to the promotion of excellence and leadership in Israel’s public sectors, and has also recently released a statement clarifying that all ties with Epstein were severed over a decade ago and that the foundation views his suspected behavior as abhorrent.
Barak also listed the alleged sexual crimes of members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political allies, but also singled out his son, Yair Netanyahu, who was recorded a year ago while visiting a strip club with his security guard and driver in tow, accompanied by his friends.
"The fact that under Netanyahu's reign an inciting, prostitute-user receives protection, lives a parasitic lifestyle and gets tight Shin Bet security… That's a disgrace," Barak said referring to the prime minister's son.
"The fact that a convicted sex offender who was removed from public office for life continues to be Netanyahu's closest associate and the man who helps him establish governments — that's a disgrace," Barak said, referring to Natan Eshel, who was convicted in a disciplinary court and banned from civil life for taking so-called "upskirt" pictures of women in the Prime Minister's Office.
"The fact that under Netanyahu serves a minster accused of covering for pedophiles and remains one of his closest associates — that's a disgrace," Barak said, referring to Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, suspected of using his position and authority to sabotage the extradition to Australia of a Jewish teacher suspected of pedophilia.
"Ehud Barak's lies won't help him get away from answering the Israeli public's questions," said a statement from the Likud Party following the Barak campaign launch.
"What did he do in the home of his partner and friend, the convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, and why did he receive $2.3 million from his foundation for research that never existed?"
'I am a feminist,' says former PM at election campaign launch, adding that he is severing all business links to accused child sex trafficker; he also brands Netanyahu's son 'an inciting, prostitute-user who lives a parasitic life', highlighting PM's ties to Natan Eshel, 'a convicted sex offender'
Former prime minister Ehud Barak launched his latest election campaign Wednesday evening, repeating his denial that he had anything to do with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's alleged actions.
"I am a feminist. The deeds attributed to Epstein are heinous and I had nothing to do with them," said Barak at the Tel Aviv event for his new Israel Democratic Party. "I've ordered Epstein removed from my businesses, and I plan to file a slander lawsuit against the newspaper behind this plot against me."
The British newspaper the Daily Mail published three-year-old images of Barak earlier Wednesday, showing him entering the New York home of the accused child sex trafficker and appeared to link him to the disgraced financier's "parties" with young girls.
"I thought it (Epstein's earlier conviction in 2008) was a one-time slip, and once it happened again I announced that I am disengaging from him entirely," said Barak.
The former prime minister's dealings with Epstein came under scrutiny in the Israeli media after an investigative report last year revealed that in 2004, Barak received more than $2 million for what was described as research from the Wexner Foundation, to which Epstein was connected.
The foundation later stated it is committed to the promotion of excellence and leadership in Israel’s public sectors, and has also recently released a statement clarifying that all ties with Epstein were severed over a decade ago and that the foundation views his suspected behavior as abhorrent.
Barak also listed the alleged sexual crimes of members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political allies, but also singled out his son, Yair Netanyahu, who was recorded a year ago while visiting a strip club with his security guard and driver in tow, accompanied by his friends.
"The fact that under Netanyahu's reign an inciting, prostitute-user receives protection, lives a parasitic lifestyle and gets tight Shin Bet security… That's a disgrace," Barak said referring to the prime minister's son.
"The fact that a convicted sex offender who was removed from public office for life continues to be Netanyahu's closest associate and the man who helps him establish governments — that's a disgrace," Barak said, referring to Natan Eshel, who was convicted in a disciplinary court and banned from civil life for taking so-called "upskirt" pictures of women in the Prime Minister's Office.
"The fact that under Netanyahu serves a minster accused of covering for pedophiles and remains one of his closest associates — that's a disgrace," Barak said, referring to Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, suspected of using his position and authority to sabotage the extradition to Australia of a Jewish teacher suspected of pedophilia.
"Ehud Barak's lies won't help him get away from answering the Israeli public's questions," said a statement from the Likud Party following the Barak campaign launch.
"What did he do in the home of his partner and friend, the convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, and why did he receive $2.3 million from his foundation for research that never existed?"
Former PM and IDF chief dismisses claims that he was hiding his identity as Daily Mail publishes old pictures of him outside New York townhouse of accused child sex trafficker, hinting at involvement in the alleged crimes; threatens to suit newspaper it doesn't apologize
Former prime minister Ehud Barak hit back Wednesday after British newspaper the Daily Mail published three-year-old images of him entering the New York home of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and appeared to link him to the disgraced financier's "parties" with young girls.
One of the images showed Barak covering his face with a scarf, implying that he was trying to disguise his identity. Barak, however, said that he had been trying to protect his face from inclement weather of January in New York.
Barak's lawyers demanded that the British newspaper apologizes for publishing the images and linking Barak to Epstein's alleged crimes, and threatened to suit the organization if it doesn't respond to their demand before 7pm Israel time on Wednesday.
"Guilty," the former prime minister wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
"When its cold I tend to cover my face. Not just in New York but anywhere in the world. I never thought that it was news."
Barak added: "Stay tuned to the reveal of my scarf collection."
He also added an image of himself covering his face from the cold on another occasion.
The Daily Mail's headline read: "Married former PM Ehud Barak is seen hiding his face in entering Jeffery Epstein's NYC townhouse as bevy of young beauties also spotted going in despite his claim he never socialized with the pedophile and his girls."
The Mail article came a day after Barak gave an interview to the Daily Beast, stating he never attended a party with Epstein or saw him with women or young girls.
Barak told the Daily Beast that he had been introduced to Epstein by late Israeli statesman Shimon Peres.
“The man who introduced me to Epstein about 17 years ago was Shimon Peres,” Barak told the website. He said the initial encouner took place during an event at which “there were many famous and important people, including, if I recall, both Clintons and hundreds of others.”
A statement released Wednesday by Barak's Israel Democratic Party read: Ehud Barak rejects the loathesome insinuations by the newspaper's report. The allegations are baseless… This is not the first time the paper has published false reports about Mr. Barak and others."
Opposition Leader and head of the Blue and White Party Benny Gantz told Ynet in an interview Wednesday that he could not rule out involvement of "someone" in Israel who would benefit from this kind of reporting. He declined to say outright to whom he was referring.
"Things don't happen with only divine intervention," Gantz said. "I would rather not go there. I prefer to talk about the issues."
Barak recently unveiled his new party and announced his intention to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a series of charges for alleged corruption.
The time has come to choose between "the State of Netanyahu or the State of Israel,” Barak claimed.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak hit back Wednesday after British newspaper the Daily Mail published three-year-old images of him entering the New York home of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and appeared to link him to the disgraced financier's "parties" with young girls.
One of the images showed Barak covering his face with a scarf, implying that he was trying to disguise his identity. Barak, however, said that he had been trying to protect his face from inclement weather of January in New York.
Barak's lawyers demanded that the British newspaper apologizes for publishing the images and linking Barak to Epstein's alleged crimes, and threatened to suit the organization if it doesn't respond to their demand before 7pm Israel time on Wednesday.
"Guilty," the former prime minister wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
"When its cold I tend to cover my face. Not just in New York but anywhere in the world. I never thought that it was news."
Barak added: "Stay tuned to the reveal of my scarf collection."
He also added an image of himself covering his face from the cold on another occasion.
The Daily Mail's headline read: "Married former PM Ehud Barak is seen hiding his face in entering Jeffery Epstein's NYC townhouse as bevy of young beauties also spotted going in despite his claim he never socialized with the pedophile and his girls."
The Mail article came a day after Barak gave an interview to the Daily Beast, stating he never attended a party with Epstein or saw him with women or young girls.
Barak told the Daily Beast that he had been introduced to Epstein by late Israeli statesman Shimon Peres.
“The man who introduced me to Epstein about 17 years ago was Shimon Peres,” Barak told the website. He said the initial encouner took place during an event at which “there were many famous and important people, including, if I recall, both Clintons and hundreds of others.”
A statement released Wednesday by Barak's Israel Democratic Party read: Ehud Barak rejects the loathesome insinuations by the newspaper's report. The allegations are baseless… This is not the first time the paper has published false reports about Mr. Barak and others."
Opposition Leader and head of the Blue and White Party Benny Gantz told Ynet in an interview Wednesday that he could not rule out involvement of "someone" in Israel who would benefit from this kind of reporting. He declined to say outright to whom he was referring.
"Things don't happen with only divine intervention," Gantz said. "I would rather not go there. I prefer to talk about the issues."
Barak recently unveiled his new party and announced his intention to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a series of charges for alleged corruption.
The time has come to choose between "the State of Netanyahu or the State of Israel,” Barak claimed.
16-17-year-old teens are arrested in vibrant night life spot for alleged rape of 19-year-old British girl, expected to face custody hearing on Thursday
A Cyprus police official says 12 Israelis have been detained after a 19-year-old British woman alleged that she was raped in the resort town of Ayia Napa.
The police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation, said Tuesday that it's still very early in the investigation and it's unclear how many of the suspects are implicated in the case.
The official couldn't say how the suspects knew the woman or whether they had been staying in Ayia Napa together as a group.
It's believed the suspects, all 17-18 years old, will appear in a Famagusta district court on Thursday for a custody hearing.
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed the arrests and the local Israeli envoy has been in touch with the suspects and their families.
Ayia Napa is very popular with younger tourists for its pristine beaches and vibrant night life.
A Cyprus police official says 12 Israelis have been detained after a 19-year-old British woman alleged that she was raped in the resort town of Ayia Napa.
The police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation, said Tuesday that it's still very early in the investigation and it's unclear how many of the suspects are implicated in the case.
The official couldn't say how the suspects knew the woman or whether they had been staying in Ayia Napa together as a group.
It's believed the suspects, all 17-18 years old, will appear in a Famagusta district court on Thursday for a custody hearing.
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed the arrests and the local Israeli envoy has been in touch with the suspects and their families.
Ayia Napa is very popular with younger tourists for its pristine beaches and vibrant night life.
Group of 12- and 13-year-old boys accused of assaulting schoolmate at knife point, recording attack on their phones and sharing it with friends; victim being treated for mental health issues while her alleged rapists were released due to their age
The lawyer for the family of an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped at knife-point by a group of boys some four months ago says the state is not treating the case with the gravity it deserves due to his clients' lack of social status.
According to suspicions, the girl, who lives in central Israel, was attacked by a group of 12- and 13-year-old boys who reportedly attended the same educational institute.
The girl was apparently invited by a friend to play with the boys in an abandoned building near her school. There, the boys allegedly raped her repeatedly at knife-point.
Since then, the boys - who recorded the assault on their phones and shared it with their friends - have been questioned and released due to their age while their alleged victim is receiving treatment at a mental health facility.
Hillel Babayev, the lawyer for the girl's family, accused the state of neglecting the young victim after her attack.
"I've seen everything in my line of work, but a case as serious and shocking and shameful as this I haven't come across," Babayev said.
"The police and the Education Ministry are responsible for the lack of support for the girl and her family. They aren't taking this terrible case seriously because the girl and her family are not wealthy."
The alleged victim told Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth that she did not understand why her attackers had not been held responsible for the assault.
"The boys filmed everything on their cell phones, and sent the video to their friends," she said. "I'm angry at them and angry at my friend who left me there alone. I was scared of them and I was scared of the knife that they took out.
"I want them to suffer. They should be punished and not be allowed back to school. It's very had for me. I'm having a really hard time, and I even tried to commit suicide."
She said: "I didn't know what they were planning. They told me that they wanted to play with me, and so I agreed to go with them. I wasn't scared at all. I didn't think they would do anything bad to me or harm me. I think that everything was planned ahead of time. They called me over to an abandoned shelter because they wanted to do bad things to me, even though I didn't agree."
According to Channel 13 television, which first reported on the case, the boys were investigated by the police and then released due to their age. They later returned to school while their victim underwent psychiatric treatment and is apparently experiencing difficulties returning to her normal activities.
The girl's parents said that until they saw the video, their daughter had not told them anything about the attack.
"She was threatened and she was afraid to say anything," her father said. "She feels that it's her fault and she is being allowed to feel like this.
"We are trying to help her, but her condition is very bad. She cries and calls out 'help me.' She doesn't understand why the boys were released, but she is being confined, far from her home. She's post-traumatic, and deeply depressed."
The case file has been sent by the police to the prosecutor's office in central Israel, where a decision on charges will be made in the coming days.
The lawyer for the family of an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped at knife-point by a group of boys some four months ago says the state is not treating the case with the gravity it deserves due to his clients' lack of social status.
According to suspicions, the girl, who lives in central Israel, was attacked by a group of 12- and 13-year-old boys who reportedly attended the same educational institute.
The girl was apparently invited by a friend to play with the boys in an abandoned building near her school. There, the boys allegedly raped her repeatedly at knife-point.
Since then, the boys - who recorded the assault on their phones and shared it with their friends - have been questioned and released due to their age while their alleged victim is receiving treatment at a mental health facility.
Hillel Babayev, the lawyer for the girl's family, accused the state of neglecting the young victim after her attack.
"I've seen everything in my line of work, but a case as serious and shocking and shameful as this I haven't come across," Babayev said.
"The police and the Education Ministry are responsible for the lack of support for the girl and her family. They aren't taking this terrible case seriously because the girl and her family are not wealthy."
The alleged victim told Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth that she did not understand why her attackers had not been held responsible for the assault.
"The boys filmed everything on their cell phones, and sent the video to their friends," she said. "I'm angry at them and angry at my friend who left me there alone. I was scared of them and I was scared of the knife that they took out.
"I want them to suffer. They should be punished and not be allowed back to school. It's very had for me. I'm having a really hard time, and I even tried to commit suicide."
She said: "I didn't know what they were planning. They told me that they wanted to play with me, and so I agreed to go with them. I wasn't scared at all. I didn't think they would do anything bad to me or harm me. I think that everything was planned ahead of time. They called me over to an abandoned shelter because they wanted to do bad things to me, even though I didn't agree."
According to Channel 13 television, which first reported on the case, the boys were investigated by the police and then released due to their age. They later returned to school while their victim underwent psychiatric treatment and is apparently experiencing difficulties returning to her normal activities.
The girl's parents said that until they saw the video, their daughter had not told them anything about the attack.
"She was threatened and she was afraid to say anything," her father said. "She feels that it's her fault and she is being allowed to feel like this.
"We are trying to help her, but her condition is very bad. She cries and calls out 'help me.' She doesn't understand why the boys were released, but she is being confined, far from her home. She's post-traumatic, and deeply depressed."
The case file has been sent by the police to the prosecutor's office in central Israel, where a decision on charges will be made in the coming days.
16 july 2019
Former PM is facing criticism at home for his dealings with the suspected pedophile and child sex trafficker, not least of all from his long-time political partner and rival Benjamin Netanyahu.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak claimed in an interview to the Daily Beast that in all his dealings with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein he had never attended a party or saw Epstein with women or underage girls.
Barak has been criticized for his ties with the suspected child sex trafficker after he announced he will be competing in the upcoming elections to the Knesset at the head of a new party.
The criticism has come, not least from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing an uncertain result in the September ballot.
Barak fired back at the Netanyahu's remarks reminding him that he and Epstein both are facing legal charges, referring to the three corruption cases pending against the prime minister.
Barak told the Daily Beast he was introduced to Epstein by former president Shimon Peres adding "there were many famous and important people, including, if I recall, both Clintons and hundreds of others.”
He could not say how many times he met with Epstein but said it was more than 10 but less than 100.
“I never attended a party with him,” Barak told The Daily Beast. “I never met Epstein in the company of women or young girls.”
Barak told the Beast “at his home, I met many very respected people, scientists, Nobel Prize winners, and I met him also in Boston, at MIT or the Harvard labs he supports.”
Ehud Barak's dealing with Epstein came under scrutiny in the Israeli media after an investigative report last year, revealed that in 2004, Barak received $2.4 million for what was described as research from the Wexner Foundation which Epstein was connected to.
The foundation states it is committed to the promotion of excellence and leadership in Israel’s public sectors.
It has also recently released a statement clarifying that all ties with Epstein were severed over a decade ago and that the foundation views his suspected behavior as abhorrent.
Haaretz newspaper reported last week that Epstein had invested in Carbyne a software company founded by the former prime minister.
Barak told reporters he is considering severing all ties he has with Epstein.
Former prime minister Ehud Barak claimed in an interview to the Daily Beast that in all his dealings with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein he had never attended a party or saw Epstein with women or underage girls.
Barak has been criticized for his ties with the suspected child sex trafficker after he announced he will be competing in the upcoming elections to the Knesset at the head of a new party.
The criticism has come, not least from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing an uncertain result in the September ballot.
Barak fired back at the Netanyahu's remarks reminding him that he and Epstein both are facing legal charges, referring to the three corruption cases pending against the prime minister.
Barak told the Daily Beast he was introduced to Epstein by former president Shimon Peres adding "there were many famous and important people, including, if I recall, both Clintons and hundreds of others.”
He could not say how many times he met with Epstein but said it was more than 10 but less than 100.
“I never attended a party with him,” Barak told The Daily Beast. “I never met Epstein in the company of women or young girls.”
Barak told the Beast “at his home, I met many very respected people, scientists, Nobel Prize winners, and I met him also in Boston, at MIT or the Harvard labs he supports.”
Ehud Barak's dealing with Epstein came under scrutiny in the Israeli media after an investigative report last year, revealed that in 2004, Barak received $2.4 million for what was described as research from the Wexner Foundation which Epstein was connected to.
The foundation states it is committed to the promotion of excellence and leadership in Israel’s public sectors.
It has also recently released a statement clarifying that all ties with Epstein were severed over a decade ago and that the foundation views his suspected behavior as abhorrent.
Haaretz newspaper reported last week that Epstein had invested in Carbyne a software company founded by the former prime minister.
Barak told reporters he is considering severing all ties he has with Epstein.
As CEO of Yukom Lee Elbaz and other employees allegedly lied about their names, locations and professional qualifications; they guaranteed impossible returns and neglected to tell investors that they make money when investors don't
A federal trial begins this week for an Israeli woman charged in the U.S. with directing a scheme to defraud tens of thousands of investors across the globe out of tens of millions of dollars.
Jury selection for Lee Elbaz’s trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Maryland. She is one of 15 defendants charged in the case and the first to be tried. Five of them have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Elbaz was CEO of an Israel-based company called Yukom Communications. She is accused of engaging in a scheme to dupe investors through the sale and marketing of financial instruments known as “binary options.”
Yukom Communications employees pretended to be from other countries, lied about their professional qualifications and adopted “stage names,” authorities say. They falsely guaranteed returns of up to 40 percent. And they didn’t tell investors that the company handling their “binary options” trades only made money if its customers lost money, according to the FBI.
They followed a call script for reassuring investors: A broker boasted of winning up to 95 percent of his trades. Sales representatives promised a client she would be a millionaire within a year if she didn’t withdraw her five-figure investment.
“If you win, I win,” the broker told the woman, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
Elbaz, 37, was indicted in March on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was arrested in 2017 after traveling to New York and remanded to house arrest after posting a $1.8 million.
A separate indictment against nine other defendants says the scheme cost investors more than $145 million worldwide
A federal trial begins this week for an Israeli woman charged in the U.S. with directing a scheme to defraud tens of thousands of investors across the globe out of tens of millions of dollars.
Jury selection for Lee Elbaz’s trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Maryland. She is one of 15 defendants charged in the case and the first to be tried. Five of them have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Elbaz was CEO of an Israel-based company called Yukom Communications. She is accused of engaging in a scheme to dupe investors through the sale and marketing of financial instruments known as “binary options.”
Yukom Communications employees pretended to be from other countries, lied about their professional qualifications and adopted “stage names,” authorities say. They falsely guaranteed returns of up to 40 percent. And they didn’t tell investors that the company handling their “binary options” trades only made money if its customers lost money, according to the FBI.
They followed a call script for reassuring investors: A broker boasted of winning up to 95 percent of his trades. Sales representatives promised a client she would be a millionaire within a year if she didn’t withdraw her five-figure investment.
“If you win, I win,” the broker told the woman, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
Elbaz, 37, was indicted in March on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was arrested in 2017 after traveling to New York and remanded to house arrest after posting a $1.8 million.
A separate indictment against nine other defendants says the scheme cost investors more than $145 million worldwide
