A group consisting of more than a dozen Lebanese lawyers submitted a formal complaint to the prosecutor's office in Beirut on Wednesday, targeting prominent local banker Antoun Sehnaoui. The legal action follows reports of a meeting between Sehnaoui and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington earlier this week.
The complaint alleges that Sehnaoui engaged in criminal activities, specifically citing the act of contacting and dealing with the Israeli enemy, violating the Israel boycott law, as well as charges of treason and state security crimes. Under Lebanese law, citizens are prohibited from having contact with Israelis as the two nations remain in a formal state of war dating back to 1948. Violations of this policy can result in prison sentences.
The controversy emerged after Axios reporter Barak Ravid shared a photo on X showing Sehnaoui sitting at a restaurant table alongside Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. According to reports, the gathering was a special dinner hosted by Sehnaoui and former U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The event was also attended by U.S. officials and was referenced by the Sehnaoui-linked website, This is Beirut.
Lawyer Hassan Bazzi stated that the move was a violation of the law and an offense to national sentiments, expressing hope that the prosecutor’s office will act effectively and swiftly. Another lawyer involved in the filing, Mohammed Hajj Hassan, described the meeting as a public offense, noting that the judiciary is expected to investigate, which could potentially lead to the issuance of arrest warrants.
The complaint arrives during a period of heightened conflict, as Israel continues military operations in Lebanon. Following an exchange between Hezbollah and Israel—which occurred shortly after U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran—more than 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, and Israeli forces continue to occupy numerous villages and towns. Although a framework agreement was recently reached, tensions remain high.
Sehnaoui, who has primarily resided in the U.S. in recent years, maintains extensive business interests in Lebanon spanning banking, media, and film. He previously faced significant public criticism following the country’s 2019 economic collapse, a crisis the World Bank labeled as one of the most severe globally since the 1850s. While some in Lebanon have recently called for the abolition of the 1955 law banning contact with Israel, it remains in effect, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in jail. As of Wednesday, Sehnaoui’s Beirut-based legal representative had not provided a comment, and a Lebanese foreign ministry official declined to address the matter.
