In Beirut, over a dozen Lebanese lawyers filed a complaint on Wednesday against a prominent local banker, alleging he violated national laws by meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington this week.
Lebanon and Israel have engaged in direct talks with U.S. mediation for the first time in decades, aiming to end recent hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed political-militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese laws prohibit citizens from contacting Israelis, considering the two nations have been at war since the creation of Israel in 1948. Those who breach this law may face imprisonment.
The Axios reporter, Barak Ravid, posted a photo on X of banker Antoun Sehnaoui seated at a restaurant table with Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. Ravid mentioned that Sehnaoui and former U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus organized a dinner on Monday in honor of the late senator Lindsey Graham, attended by the Israeli premier and U.S. officials. A site linked to Sehnaoui, This is Beirut, also detailed the special dinner.
Sehnaoui’s lawyer in Beirut has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The complaint accuses Sehnaoui of crimes such as contacting the enemy, violating the boycott law against Israel, treason, and state security offenses. Two of the Lebanese lawyers who filed the complaint told The Associated Press that the meeting happened while Israel’s military continued strikes on Lebanon.
The conflict intensified two days after Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran. Hezbollah retaliated, prompting Israeli air and ground attacks. More than 4,000 people have died in Lebanon, and Israel still occupies several villages. A framework agreement was recently reached between the countries.
Attorney Hassan Bazzi asserted that Sehnaoui violated the law and insulted national sentiments. The lawyers expect the prosecution to act swiftly and effectively. Another lawyer, Mohammed Hajj Hassan, called the meeting with Netanyahu a “public offense.” The judiciary is now expected to investigate, possibly leading to arrest warrants.
At present, it remains unclear how prosecutors will handle the case. In previous similar cases, arrest warrants were issued for Lebanese citizens abroad.
A Lebanese Foreign Ministry official declined to comment when contacted by the AP.
Sehnaoui, who has mostly resided in the U.S. in recent years, operates various businesses in Lebanon and internationally, spanning banking, media, and film industries.
After Lebanon’s significant economic collapse in 2019, Sehnaoui, like other high-profile bankers, faced criticism as many lost access to their savings. The World Bank described the crisis as among the worst globally since the 1850s.
The meeting with Netanyahu took place amid calls by some Lebanese citizens to repeal a 1955 law prohibiting interaction with Israel and punishing violators with up to 10 years in prison.