New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has apologized for his yearslong friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that included regular correspondence, multiple visits to the disgraced financier's Manhattan apartment and one to his private island.

The former Israeli leader has not been implicated in Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls and faces no accusations of wrongdoing. In an exclusive interview with Israel's Channel 12 on Thursday, he said he regretted having ever known Epstein and apologized to all those "who feel deeply uncomfortable."

"I am responsible for all my actions and decisions, and there is definitely room to ask if there wasn't room for more in-depth judgment on my part and a mo...