Title: Israeli Professor and Think Tank Co-Founder Gal Luft Indicted for Arms Trafficking and Violating US Sanctions on Iran
Subtitle: Luft’s Controversial Claims About the Bidens Sparks Political Storm
Date: [Insert Date]
In a surprising turn of events, Israeli professor and think tank co-founder Gal Luft has been indicted on multiple charges, including arms trafficking and conspiring to flout US sanctions on Iran. The eight-count indictment against Luft, 57, was reported in a small, 137-word item on page 10 of the New York Post.
The article, titled “Anti-Biden witness indicted,” highlighted Luft’s involvement in House Republicans’ investigation of the Biden family. It stated that the charges against him are related to arms trafficking and conspiracy to violate US sanctions on Iran. The piece ended with a statement from Luft, who claims that the case is an attempt to stop him from testifying to Congress about allegations of payments to the first family from individuals with ties to Chinese military intelligence, as well as the presence of an FBI informant sharing classified information with the Bidens’ Chinese connections.
This low-key treatment by the New York Post starkly contrasts with their previous coverage of Luft. Just days earlier, columnist Miranda Devine wrote an exclusive column on a video where Luft claimed he was being “hunted” by the FBI and facing a lifetime on the run. The shift in coverage reflects the controversial nature of Luft’s claims and his recent fugitive status.
Luft disappeared in February after posting bail following his arrest by Cypriot authorities. He had been detained on suspicion of arms trafficking after an Interpol warrant was issued. Luft took to Twitter to claim that his arrest was politically motivated and part of an extradition request by the US. He alleged that the Department of Justice was attempting to bury him to protect Joe, Jim, and Hunter Biden.
Luft’s Israeli lawyer, Mordechai Tzivin, further fueled the controversy by stating that his client had provided derogatory information about the Bidens to the FBI in 2019. Tzivin suggested that Luft was being targeted to silence him, and raised concerns about the possibility of prominent Democrats attempting to harm or even kill his client.
Despite Luft’s recent claims, there is no evidence in the public record to support his assertion that he spoke out against the Bidens prior to his arrest. However, as an Israeli-American academic and former Lieutenant Colonel in the Israeli Defense Forces, he has been critical of US foreign policy, particularly since Joe Biden took office.
Luft’s think tank, the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, has released reports criticizing US economic policies and sanctions, particularly targeting Russia. Additionally, Luft has criticized the Biden administration’s efforts to impose an international oil price cap on Russian oil, arguing that such measures are impractical and ineffective.
The significance of Luft’s claims against the Bidens emerged after his February arrest. Though Republicans have now embraced his allegations, there is no evidence to suggest that he voiced these concerns to anyone prior to his arrest. However, unproven claims about the Bidens have become a popular narrative in GOP media circles since Donald Trump’s first impeachment.
Given this pattern, it is possible that Luft is hoping to gain favor with the Republican Party in anticipation of a future pardon, particularly from former President Donald Trump. However, only time will tell the full consequences of this indictment and the impact it may have on the ongoing investigations involving the Biden family.
As this story develops, it remains to be seen how Luft’s case will unfold and what implications it may hold for US politics and foreign relations.