You couldn’t make this up even if you wanted to, yet it’s the reality we live in. Almost impossible to ignore, the Epstein Files have been the latest saga gripping the internet, dragging one of the most disturbing scandals of recent decades back into the open. Over the past few weeks, more information regarding the ex-financier’s network, movements, and long-suspected ties to powerful figures around the world has emerged.
Since the release of the latest batch of documents, nearly every figure whose name has appeared in the ongoing investigation has been forced to respond, deny, clarify, or attempt to distance themselves from the disgraced businessman and his tightly-knit circles. Former French Minister Jack Lang, who’d been serving as the head of the World Arab Institute in Paris, was forced to resign following the publication of documents referencing his past interactions with Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew)— King Charles’ younger brother—also faced public scrutiny. Authorities briefly took him into police custody last month after finding new elements of the case tied to his past relationship with the late American billionaire. And this is just the tip of a much larger iceberg of connections, allegations, and unanswered questions that continue to come up as both investigators and the public keep on combing through the growing archive of documents that still hasn’t spilled all of its secrets.
Among the many names cited — and the even larger number of public figures now scrambling to explain their proximity to a man now notoriously known for organizing, hosting, and facilitating a sprawling network of abuse — a surprising number of celebrities have also appeared in the documents, but not for what you think.
In a 2014 email sent by the Jewish News Syndicate — a news agency that covers Israel and the broader Jewish world — a list of figures known for their pro-Palestinian views was circulated. In what appears to be an early draft of an article later published on the outlet’s website, nine different celebrities were listed as “anti-Israel.” The document outlined the context behind each mention, detailing when, why, and under what circumstances they had publicly expressed those positions.
The list included actors Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson; musicians Roger Waters, Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover, and Zayn Malik; as well as comedian Russell Brand. Each was cited for statements or public actions that the outlet had previously interpreted as critical of Israeli policy or supportive of Palestinian causes. Sent out amidst the clashes that took place during the 2014 Gaza War, the message appears to have simply compiled public statements and petitions circulating at the time, rather than documenting any form of relationship with Epstein himself — a detail that has largely been lost as screenshots of the files began circulating online years later.
In the article’s introduction, the list was put together on the basis of those who “have gone further than simply supporting the Palestinians by actively supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, making false accusations about the Jewish state, ignoring Israel’s position on the conflict, or justifying the actions of the terrorist group Hamas.”
To us, that same roster of alleged “anti-Israel” figures reads less like a blacklist and more like a group of public voices to knight as they have used their visibility, often more than once, to draw attention to the harsh realities faced by a people who have, for decades, lived under occupation and displacement.
As the frenzy surrounding the case continues to grow, many have been quick to assume that simply having one’s name appear in the files automatically implies guilt or complicity. Yet the context behind some of these mentions suggests a far more complicated reality. In certain cases— like the one we have at hand here— names appear not because of any relationship with Epstein, but because they were referenced in documents or exchanges that had little to do with his activities themselves.
If anything, this particular list exists precisely because Epstein— or his associates— viewed those figures as adversarial or critical of positions they supported. And if a man whose legacy is now defined by abuse and exploitation happened to consider someone problematic, that may say far more about his own worldview than it does about the people he was pointing at.
