Epstein Files: Lawyer David Schoen bragged in email to Epstein he helped Israel counter BDS

David Schoen, a criminal defence lawyer hired by Jeffrey Epstein in the months before his death, bragged in emails to the disgraced sex offender about helping the Israeli government counter Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, The New Arab has found.

Schoen also represented Donald Trump during his impeachment trial.

In an email sent to Epstein on 28 February 2019, Schoen said he was travelling to Israel, paid for by two unnamed organisations, to advise government officials on 'legal challenges' to BDS and 'other related issues'.

He added that the government invited him to return in June, but he would not be able to go, as they appear to not have offered to pay for his flight. Schoen said he asked the Israeli government for help obtaining discounted flights from El Al, presumably referring to Israel Aerospace Industries, an aviation manufacturer for military and civilian use.

He said this was "Unfortunate because I love this stuff."

According to the email, Schoen said he had previously run a panel at the UN on legal challenges to 'terrorism'' on behalf of Israel.

The email was part of the US Department of Justice's release of over three million documents related to convicted sex trafficker Epstein.

Epstein, who Schoen said helped him with questions about his "practice and finances," replied to this email. Though Epstein's response is not redacted, it is not visible in the publicly available files. Schoen replied, saying, "Thanks but can't do that [...] Very kind though."

The released files show the pair frequently communicating via email and meeting in person from February 2019 until Epstein's death in August 2019, though heavily redacted files show Epstein discussed Schoen as early as 2010.

The BDS movement was established in 2005, inspired by similar action against apartheid South Africa. It aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian lands using non-violent economic means. 

The movement encourages organisations to divest from companies complicit in Israel's genocide and occupation. It also advocates for sanctions against Israel.

Other emails from Epstein show the Israeli government's concerns about boycotts. In a 2015 conversation with Noam Chomsky, an academic prominent supporter of boycotts against Israel, Epstein says that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak thought that sports boycotts could "change the fate of the country."

Epstein said Barak saw the trajectory of apartheid South Africa as "the current path" for Israel.

Chomsky responded, agreeing that sports boycotts were important in ending apartheid, but only after the US joined. Epstein replied, saying he hoped to bring Chomsky and Barak together "for a fun exchange."

Another close Epstein associate and former lawyer involved in helping Israel counter BDS was Alan Dershowitz.