Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a major Democratic donor who is under a House investigation for buying Hunter Biden‘s artwork, is also the great aunt of the first American hostage released by Hamas during the cease-fire deal.
Ms. Hirsh Naftali‘s great niece, 4-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, was also the youngest U.S. hostage released by Hamas when she was set free on Sunday.
Hamas still holds eight or nine U.S. hostages in Gaza. An American woman was expected to be released on Wednesday.
Ms. Hirsh Naftali, who advocated publicly for the girl’s release, was appointed to the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in July of 2022 by President Biden. The appointment came roughly eight months after she purchased a painting by Hunter Biden, which drew the attention of House investigators.
It is not known how much she paid for the artwork but Hunter Biden‘s paintings for as much as $500,000.
Ms. Hirsh Naftali is also a frequent visitor to the White House. She has visited the White House at least 13 times since 2021.
SEE ALSO: Israel’s top general says troops ready to resume fighting in Gaza after cease-fire
RealClear Investigations first reported the connection between Ms. Hirsh Naftali and the youngest U.S. hostage.
A senior Biden administration official told the outlet that “U.S. officials insisted that Abigail be included on an early list as well as the other two Americans in this category [of women and children].”
“The President raised Abigail in nearly all of his phone calls with counterparts as well as with the Amir of Qatar on Saturday,” the official said, adding that “U.S. officials have also remained in close touch with Abigail’s family members including those the President spoke with on Sunday.”
Ms. Hirsh Naftali later co-signed a statement thanking “President Biden and his dedicated team,” along with the others who helped secure Abigail’s release.
House Republicans have been investigating the ties between Ms. Hirsh Naftali‘s appointment to the commission and her purchase of Hunter Biden‘s art since July.
In a July letter, Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, Kentucky Republican, wrote, “Your position on the Commission is particularly suspicious because of Hunter Biden‘s previous actions to elevate his business partner — Eric Schwerin — to the same post while his father was Vice President.”
Critics of the Biden administration say this is another example of how the family’s financial dealings create conflicts of interest.
Hunter Biden‘s lawyer Abbe Lowell has said his client was not aware that Ms. Hirsh Naftali purchased any of his art until the sale was finished.
The Oversight Committee sent a letter requesting documents about her purchase, her appointment to the commission, and her visits to the White House. It’s unclear if her appointment to the commission was due to her art purchase.
Mr. Comer also issued a subpoena to her on Nov. 9 requesting her appearance for a transcribed interview.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.