Khaberni - Several European countries and Israel are under increasing pressure following the publication by the US Justice Department of millions of new documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, in a scandal that has not caused political repercussions of this magnitude in the United States, while it has shaken European capitals.
Investigation in Norway
Norway is moving towards opening an investigation related to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ connection with Epstein, where Norwegian media reported that a majority of parties in parliament appear ready to support an independent investigation.
Many public figures are now under scrutiny, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thorbjørn Jagland.
Princess Mette-Marit issued a new apology on Friday for her friendship with Epstein to the royal family, stating in a statement released by the Royal Palace "I renew my apology for the position in which I have placed the royal family, especially the King and Queen."
The new files included many email communications between her and Epstein after his conviction for committing sexual crimes against minors in 2008.
Starmer's Future
In the United Kingdom, the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer is increasingly uncertain due to his appointment of Peter Mandelson - who had a close friendship with Epstein - as ambassador to Washington.
Pressure is also increasing on the former Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles, to testify in the United States, and he was previously forced to relinquish his royal title and luxurious residence.
Investigation in Poland
In Poland, the Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro, on Thursday, announced the formation of a team of elements from the secret services, prosecutors, and police officers to investigate possible connections between Epstein and Poland, indicating the presence of "a Polish woman and a Polish man" in Epstein's circle.
In Slovakia, the national security advisor to Prime Minister Robert Fico resigned after the revelation of emails in which he discussed "young women" with Epstein, while pressure is mounting on former French Minister of Culture Jack Lang to resign from his position as head of the Arab World Institute.
Netanyahu attacks Barak
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exploited the mention of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Epstein's documents to attack him, considering that "Jeffrey Epstein's close and unusual relationship with Ehud Barak does not indicate that Epstein was working for Israel, but quite the opposite."
Epstein documents
Jeffrey Epstein was an American Jewish billionaire convicted of sexual crimes, born in 1953, who worked in various professions including teaching and banking investment, and was known for his proximity to many celebrities and politicians around the world, who were accused of involvement in a prostitution network using minors.
His conviction for committing sexual crimes was established in 2008, before he was found dead in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting another trial.
Given Epstein's Jewish origins, it was not strange that American newspapers addressed his relationship with the Israeli foreign intelligence (Mossad) and his work for it in several cases, which was reinforced by Epstein's relationship with the Jewish Maxwell family, starting with the father Robert and later the daughter Ghislaine, as Epstein had previously supported Robert when he was on the brink of bankruptcy.
