US Vice President JD Vance Alleges Jeffrey Epstein Had Ties to Israeli Intelligence

US Vice President JD Vance has sharply criticized Israel, claiming that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had clear connections to the highest levels of Israeli intelligence. In a three-hour interview on Joe Rogan's podcast, Vance referenced a Time magazine report and accused Israeli actors of running a covert, heavily funded campaign to influence American public opinion and sabotage negotiations with Iran. He asserted these efforts aim to prolong the conflict indefinitely rather than achieve a specific goal.

When Rogan suggested that most people believe Epstein was an Israeli Mossad agent, Vance agreed Epstein was linked to intelligence agencies, including both American and Israeli. He said Epstein's case reveals opposition within parts of the Israeli government to the US peace process. Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current unpopularity in the US, Vance claimed Epstein was connected to Israeli center-left "deep state" elements. He also noted Epstein's extensive ties across the US political spectrum, from Steve Bannon to anti-Zionist intellectual Noam Chomsky, emphasizing Epstein's deeper connections to Israel's center-left than center-right.

Regarding the Iran conflict, Vance said he has concrete evidence that Israeli officials "hate" the emerging deal and are trying to derail it. He cited the Time article describing American influencers paid by a former campaign official funded by Jerusalem to attack the agreement. Vance expressed frustration at these covert influence efforts, stating his primary duty is to represent American citizens and uphold the negotiation policy set by former President Trump.

Vance compared Israel's influence operations to those of Qatar and Russia, saying such efforts are normal in 2026 politics but become problematic when US leaders let them shape decisions against American interests. He strongly rejected accusations of antisemitism, calling such claims "crazy" and affirming his deep respect for Judaism. Vance described himself as a moderate voice amid the polarized US debate over Israel.

He acknowledged Israel is currently losing the battle for American public opinion, a fact openly stated by Trump. Vance reiterated his call to reassess US-Israel relations, advocating for a partnership akin to those with France or Britain, based on shared interests but allowing disagreements. He stressed that the US was not pressured into military action against Iran by Israel and that Trump acted from a firm belief that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, dismissing the idea that Netanyahu blackmailed Trump as "crazy."