Former Israeli Intelligence Officer's Multiple Stays at Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan Residence Revealed in Investigation

Yoni Koren, a former Israeli intelligence officer, was documented staying at convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan townhouse on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2015, according to a Washington-based investigative report.

Koren, who served as a trusted aide to former Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, resided in Epstein's residence for extended periods. House Oversight Committee records and hacked emails archived by Distributed Denial of Secrets reveal he made additional visits in October 2014 and September 2015.

With a background in covert operations with the Mossad, Koren maintained his lieutenant colonel status in reserve duty after departing from Israel's intelligence directorate. The Times of Israel confirms he served as Barak's bureau chief at the Ministry of Defence as recently as early 2013.

Following Barak's tenure in office, Koren continued functioning as an informal intermediary between American and Israeli intelligence agencies, facilitating communications between Barak and AMAN, Israel's military intelligence organization. Leaked emails demonstrate he assisted Barak in identifying cybersecurity startups developed from AMAN's technology divisions, indicating Koren's enduring connections to Israeli intelligence remained intact.

In February 2015, correspondence shows Barak and Epstein arranged meetings in New York. "Hi Jeff, will you be in NY during the coming week?" Barak inquired in the hacked communications. Epstein responded: "I'm flying back to NY Tues to meet with you." They subsequently met on February 19 and again the following day in an undocumented appointment.

Three days after these meetings, Barak emailed Epstein with the subject line "Yoni acc. Info," containing Citibank wire transfer details for an account registered to Itzhak (Yoni) Koren. The purpose of this potential transfer remains undisclosed, and available records do not confirm whether any funds were actually transferred.

Shortly thereafter, Barak sent Koren specific instructions for retrieving a package from Manhattan's Hyatt 48LEX hotel: a box containing red Beats by Dre headphones, a receipt, and a bank card. "To get a refund in cash, you'll need the card," Barak instructed. "Email me when you collect it."

Koren responded in Hebrew asking, "No problem, what's her name?" to which Barak replied, "Rachel Levin."

On March 2, Koren confirmed the card had been credited with funds. Barak's subsequent instruction was simply: "Keep the card."

This seemingly routine headphone exchange takes on additional significance when considering that both Barak and Koren were known counterintelligence targets of the United States, as revealed in Edward Snowden's 2013 disclosures, potentially motivating their use of coded communications.

During that same period, Barak regularly assigned Koren to verify intelligence rumors through his AMAN contacts. In one instance, Barak requested information about a Haaretz report suggesting Egypt's president had offered Sinai land to Palestinians.

After investigation, Koren reported: "It never happened." Barak's response was telling: "2nd time? Probably someone should deny it."

By late 2014, while residing at Epstein's apartment, Koren continued managing Barak's American connections. He facilitated travel arrangements with Jeremy Bash, former CIA and Defence Department chief of staff, related to Leon Panetta's memoir "Worthy Fights."

Subsequently, Barak requested Koren to organize private White House and Pentagon tours for his grandchildren. Bash, then at Beacon Global Strategies, secured this access. On March 31, 2015, Barak's family received Secret Service-escorted tours led by Yael Lempert at the White House and Eric Lynn at the Pentagon.

Weeks later, when Lynn sought fundraising assistance for his congressional campaign, Barak asked, "What should be done?"

Koren simply replied, "You don't have to do anything." Lynn was unsuccessful in his bid. The seat is currently occupied by Representative Anna Paulina Luna, who is leading House efforts to release Epstein's files.

Yoni Koren passed away from cancer on January 8, 2023.