Epstein, a 66-year-old former hedge fund manager, supported many
Jewish causes and Zionist organizations, and was on the board of the Wexner Foundation,
which is devoted to Israel. He had friendships with many Israel supporters, from Alan Dershowitz to Howard Rubenstein to Ehud Barak to Larry Summers. And there is speculation that Epstein, a mysterious international figure, had links to Israeli intelligence.
Dershowitz, Epstein’s former lawyer, says Israel is a factor in the case. Two days ago Dersh published
an op-ed for Newsmax aimed at preempting the New Yorker’s
anticipated expose of his role in the case (one of Epstein’s victims says that she was compelled to have sex with Dershowitz. He
denies the charges, but he has admitted getting
a massage at Epstein’s mansion.). Dershowitz says the New Yorker is trying to hurt Netanyahu.
Here is Dershowitz’s blockbuster lead:
I recently learned, from a source close to The New Yorker magazine, that its editor, David Remnick, has commissioned a hit piece against me for the explicit purpose of silencing my defense of President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the State of Israel. Remnick despises Trump and Netanyahu, and is well known for his strong anti-Israel bias. Remnick explicitly told people that I must be silenced because mine has been the most persuasive voice in favor of what Remnick feels pose dangers to values he holds dear, and that he will use the credibility of The New Yorker to accomplish this goal.
This doesn’t seem very plausible. Remnick can be very critical of Israel but he is a liberal Zionist. Connie Bruck is said to be the reporter on the case and though she has a pretty good track record (exposing Adelson) she is married to an Israel devotee, former Rep. Mel Levine.
Also, if Netanyahu is so hurt by the case, why is he pushing for an investigation of Epstein in the election campaign, so as to hurt his rival, Ehud Barak?
Epstein’s relationship with Ehud Barak, the former PM who is now trying to stage a comeback in Israel,
has become an issue in the Israeli campaign, the
New York Times reports. Epstein made what appear to be shadowy investments with Barak.
[...]