Epstein tells Qatari businessman: Doha sing and dance
In the email, Epstein told Jabor Y Qatar could be welcomed back if it normalises ties with Israel.
Convicted sex offender and American financier Jeffrey Epstein once told a Qatari businessman that Qatar needed to “sing and dance” for Israel if it wanted to stay on the good side of US President Donald Trump during the Gulf crisis.
This claim appears in an email that was part of a set of US Justice Department documents released on January 30. The email shows Epstein trying to place himself inside a serious political dispute in the Middle East, even though he held no official role.
At the time, Qatar was under a strict blockade. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates led a group of Arab states in cutting ties with Doha. They closed land borders, blocked airspace, and stopped sea routes. The move badly hurt Qatar’s economy and daily life. Then US President Donald Trump publicly supported the blockade, making the situation even worse for Qatar.
In the email, Epstein wrote to a man identified as Jabor Y. He later used the name Jabor Yousef Jassim Al Thani. He is a Qatari businessman and a member of the ruling royal family. Epstein suggested that Qatar’s problems could be fixed if it took steps that pleased Washington.
Epstein said Qatar should stop “kicking and arguing” and instead follow what he believed was a winning formula. According to him, that formula involved improving ties with Israel. He wrote that if Qatar could recognize Israel as a state, it might help bring the country back into favor with the United States.
could be interesting to discuss,” Epstein wrote. The email had poor grammar and spelling, but the message was clear. Epstein believed recognition of Israel would please US leaders.
He then added another idea. If recognition was not possible, Qatar could put one billion dollars into a fund. This fund, he said, would benefit victims of terrorist attacks. He also suggested asking other Gulf Cooperation Council countries to match the amount. Epstein seemed to think money and public gestures could smooth over political conflict.
The emails show Epstein speaking as if he had special insight into US foreign policy. There is no proof that he actually influenced any government decisions. Still, the messages reveal how closely he followed global politics and how confident he was in giving advice to powerful people.
Epstein even used India as an example. He pointed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s growing relationship with Israel. In the email, Epstein claimed Modi had taken advice and made a public show of friendship with Israel.
“The Indian Prime minisiter modi took advice. He added, “IT WORKED.!” His words suggest he believed symbolic actions and public warmth could sway Donald Trump.
In reality, India’s ties with Israel grew over many years and involved defense, technology, and trade. But Epstein reduced it to a simple performance meant to impress Washington.
The documents also show how close Epstein was to members of the Qatari elite. A separate 2016 record shows Jabor Yousef Jassim Al Thani asking for permission to use Epstein’s private plane to land in Doha. This detail raises questions about Epstein’s access and influence in the Gulf region.
At the time of the blockade, Qatar was accused by its neighbors of supporting extremist groups. Qatar denied these claims. The crisis lasted more than three years and only ended in early 2021 after a regional agreement.
Donald Trump’s early support for the blockade surprised many US officials. Later, Washington took a more balanced position. But in 2017, Qatar felt heavy pressure from its neighbors and from the White House.
Epstein’s emails show him trying to act like a behind-the-scenes fixer. He spoke casually about sensitive issues like Israel, terrorism, and regional alliances. His tone was blunt and sometimes crude. He wrote as if global politics were a simple game of favors and shows.
There is no evidence that Qatar followed Epstein’s advice or that his ideas were taken seriously by leaders. Still, the emails offer a strange look into how Epstein saw the world. He believed money, flattery, and public gestures could solve almost anything.
The release of these documents adds another layer to the long and disturbing story of Jeffrey Epstein. Even while facing serious criminal accusations, he continued to mix with the rich and powerful. He spoke confidently about world affairs, even when he had no clear role or authority.
The emails do not change the history of the Gulf blockade. But they do show how one disgraced financier tried to insert himself into a major international crisis, speaking loosely about countries, leaders, and lives as if they were pieces on a board.