06.02.2026 07:51
A voice recording included in the released Epstein documents reveals that Ehud Barak explained plans to change Israel's demographics to reduce the impact of the Palestinian population to Jeffrey Epstein, and in this context, he sought support from Vladimir Putin for 1 million Russian Jews.
A recording of a secret meeting between former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while being accused of running a pedophile network in the U.S., has surfaced. In the recordings, Barak is heard making striking statements regarding plans to change Israel's demographic structure.
LOBBIED FOR 1 MILLION RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS
According to a report by Middle East Eye (MEE), Barak explained in the meeting that he lobbied for "1 million more Russian immigrants" to be brought to Israel from Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was suggested that Barak aimed to reduce the political and social impact of the Palestinian population with this move.
In a recording dated February 14, 2015, Barak stated that the approximately 1 million Russian immigrants who came to Israel in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union fundamentally transformed the country. However, Barak reminded that by 2005, less than half of these immigrants were recognized as Jewish according to Orthodox Jewish law, arguing that in the future, "the quality of immigrants should be controlled."
SUGGESTED BREAKING THE ORTHODOX RABBI MONOPOLY
Barak also suggested breaking the Orthodox rabbi monopoly over marriage, funeral processes, and the definition of Judaism in Israel. He stated that the processes for conversion to Judaism should be made more sophisticated and gradual, suggesting that immigrants coming from Russia could be accepted without the condition of transformation, but that this process would gradually be completed through social pressure, especially in the second generation.
EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE INCREASE IN PALESTINIAN POPULATION
The recordings also included evaluations regarding Palestinian citizens within the 1948 borders of Israel. Barak noted that the proportion of the Palestinian population has risen from 16% 40 years ago to 20% today, describing this as a "problem." In discussions about equality, he argued that priority should be given to the Druze who serve in mandatory military service and the Christian minority known for their education levels.
Barak's statements have brought back criticisms that Israel's approach to transporting Jews from Europe to Palestinian territories during and after World War II and its policies to reduce the Arab population through exclusionary measures have not changed.