ISTANBUL

Emails released by the US Department of Justice show that the Israeli government installed security equipment and managed access at a Manhattan apartment building run by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The arrangements began in early 2016 at 301 E. 66th Street, where former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak reportedly stayed for extended periods.

According to the emails, the security operation at “Ehud’s apartment” remained in place for at least two years. Officials from Israel’s permanent mission to the United Nations regularly coordinated with Epstein’s staff on access and security matters.

In January 2016, Barak’s wife, Nili Priell, exchanged emails with an Epstein aide about installing alarms and surveillance equipment at the apartment. The proposed setup included six “sensors sticked to the windows, and the ability to remotely control access to the premises.”

Priell wrote: “They can neutralize the system from far, before you need somebody to enter the appartment. the only thing to do is call Rafi from the consulate and let him know who and when is entering, and he will neutralize it for the time necessary.”

Priell was referring to Rafi Shlomo, then director of protective service at the Israeli mission to the United Nations in New York and head of Barak’s security.

An email from an Epstein aide to Barak and Priell underscored the extent of the involvement, stating: “Jeffrey says he does not mind holes in the walls and this is all just fine!”

In January 2017, an Epstein assistant emailed Shlomo with the subject line “Jeffrey Epstein RE Ehud’s apartment,” listing staff members who required access.

“I understand from you already have a copy of her ID from a while ago...she is the maid and has been going in and out of the apartment for a long time now!” the assistant wrote.

Another email stated: “Hello Rafi. I wanted to provide you with a list of all the employees of Jeffrey’s that may need access to Ehud’s apartment...you may certainly do background checks on them if you need.”

Weeks later, the assistant informed Epstein that “Rafi, the head of Ehud’s security, is asking if I could go meet him at 4pm on Tues. 14th at his office (800 2nd Ave and 42nd) re Ehud’s apartment... I asked what it is he needs and he said they just need to meet with the person in charge of the apartment over there and about the going in and out of maids, etc. He was not very specific... just said they are doing some reshuffling themselves....”

After Epstein’s death in 2019, Barak downplayed their relationship, saying he had met Epstein multiple times but that Epstein “didn’t support me or pay me.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said Epstein’s ties to Barak do not indicate he acted on Israel’s behalf.

“Jeffrey Epstein’s unusual close relationship with Ehud Barak doesn’t suggest Epstein worked for Israel. It proves the opposite,” Netanyahu said.