Leaked emails have revealed a connection between Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, highlighting discussions about investments in surveillance technology and geopolitics dating back to May 2014. The correspondence details an invitation from Epstein to Barak to meet with Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies, to explore these topics further.
In an email dated early June 2014, Barak thanked Epstein and indicated plans to discuss opportunities with Thiel’s Valar Ventures. At the time, Barak was heavily involved with Reporty, an Israeli emergency-response firm later rebranded as Carbyne, where he served as chairman and was an early investor. Epstein played a role in facilitating Barak’s initial investment in Carbyne.
Further emails from 2016 show interest from Valar Ventures’ Andrew McCormack in learning more about Carbyne, which collects real-time data for emergency services. Between 2015 and 2016, Epstein invested $40 million in Thiel’s Valar Ventures, with that amount reportedly increasing to $170 million. Notably, Thiel's Founders Fund participated in a $15 million funding round for Carbyne in 2018.
The revelations raise questions about the intertwining of political figures and major technology investments, particularly in the realm of surveillance. As the implications of these connections unfold, observers are keenly watching how this may impact future discussions around privacy and technology.
