Lebanese Tycoon Detained Over Meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Washington

A political controversy erupted in Lebanon after prominent Lebanese businessman Antoun Sehnaoui was photographed conversing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a dinner in Washington held to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The event, hosted by Sehnaoui and his partner, former US envoy Morgan Ortagus, included Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and other senior figures. Following the photo's circulation on social media, Lebanese authorities issued a 30-day arrest warrant against Sehnaoui on charges of "contact with the Israeli enemy" and violating Lebanon's boycott law against Israel.

The Lebanese judiciary responded to complaints filed by several lawyers demanding Sehnaoui be prosecuted for his ties with Israel and communication with Netanyahu. The public prosecutor ordered security forces to investigate the authenticity of the photo, including whether it might have been artificially created. Sehnaoui, chairman of Lebanon's SGBL bank, is known for supporting relations with Israel and is involved in media and philanthropy in Lebanon. Ortagus previously described Sehnaoui and his family as coming from generations of "devoted Lebanese Zionist Christians," acknowledging that his actions are technically illegal under Lebanese law.

This legal action comes amid ongoing negotiations and agreements between Israel and Lebanon under Netanyahu's leadership, raising questions about the political and judicial implications of the case. The matter may eventually be decided by Lebanon's military court.