Lebanese lawyers and prosecutors seek action over banker Antoun Sehnaoui meeting Netanyahu

Lebanon seeks arrest of businessman accused of meeting Netanyahu Lebanese judicial authorities issued a warrant Wednesday seeking the arrest of influential businessman Antoun Sehnaoui accused of meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid Israel's war on Lebanon. A Lebanese judicial source told AFP that prosecutor and judge Ahmad Rami had issued a 30-day wanted notice for Sehnaoui "on charges of dealing with the Israeli enemy and violating Lebanon's boycott law against Israel". Lebanese law criminalises contact with Israel, despite the countries beginning direct talks under US sponsorship in April. Axios journalist Barak Ravid had reported that, on Monday night in Washington, Sehnaoui and former US envoy Morgan Ortagus hosted a dinner attended by high-profile officials including Netanyahu. An accompanying photo showing Sehnaoui, a Lebanese Christian, and Netanyahu at the same table sparked uproar on social media in Lebanon across the political spectrum. The judicial official said that several lawyers had also submitted a report demanding "the prosecution of Sehnaoui for crimes related to dealing with Israel and communicating with Netanyahu". The prosecutor is to examine the matter and decide whether to refer it to the military court.

A group of Lebanese lawyers accused banker Antoun Sehnaoui of "communicating with the Israeli enemy" for co-hosting a memorial dinner in honor of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Beirut, July 29, 2026: More than a dozen Lebanese lawyers on Wednesday filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office in Beirut against prominent banker Antoun Sehnaoui, alleging that he violated Lebanese law by meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington earlier this week.The complaint accuses Sehnaoui of committing "the crimes of contacting and dealing with the Israeli enemy, violating the Israel boycott law, the crime of treason and state security crimes."Lebanese law prohibits citizens from having contact with Israelis, as Lebanon and Israel have remained in a state of war since Israel's establishment in 1948. Violators can face prison terms.The complaint follows a photograph posted on X by Axios reporter Barak Ravid, showing Sehnaoui dining with Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. Ravid said Sehnaoui and former US envoy Morgan Ortagus hosted a dinner on Monday in memory of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, attended by Netanyahu and US officials.A Sehnaoui-linked website, This is Beirut, also reported details of what it described as the "special dinner". Sehnaoui's lawyer in Beirut did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Lawyers Cite Ongoing ConflictTwo of the lawyers behind the complaint told The Associated Press that the meeting took place while Israel continues military operations in Lebanon.One of the lawyers, Hassan Bazzi, said Sehnaoui had violated the law and offended national sentiments. He added that the lawyers hope the prosecutor's office performs its duties "effectively and swiftly".Another lawyer, Mohammed Hajj Hassan, described the meeting as "a public offence" and said the judiciary is now expected to investigate the case, which could lead to the issuance of arrest warrants.It remains unclear how prosecutors will proceed. In previous similar cases involving Lebanese citizens outside the country, authorities have issued arrest warrants. A Lebanese Foreign Ministry official declined to comment.Lebanon and Israel have held US-backed direct talks over the past three months in an effort to end the latest fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in southern Lebanon.The conflict resumed two days after Israel and the US attacked Iran, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes and ground operations. More than 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, while Israel continues to occupy dozens of villages and towns. The two countries have recently reached a framework agreement.Debate Over Boycott Law RevivedSehnaoui, who has largely been based in the US in recent years, has business interests in Lebanon and abroad spanning banking, media and the film industry.Also Watch: US President Donald Trump To Meet Netanyahu, Zelenskiy As Iran & Ukraine Conflicts Reach Crucial StageLike several senior bankers, he faced widespread criticism following Lebanon's economic collapse in 2019, which left most depositors unable to access their savings. The World Bank described the crisis as among the worst globally since the 1850s.The meeting with Netanyahu has also revived debate over Lebanon's 1955 law that bans contact and dealings with Israelis. Some in the country have called for repealing the law, which carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison for offenders.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

By Tala RamadanBEIRUT, July 29 (Reuters) - A group of Lebanese lawyers filed a complaint with the country's top prosecutor on Wednesday requesting an investigation into banker Antoun Sehnaoui over a dinner he allegedly co-hosted in Washington that was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The document accused Sehnaoui of "communicating with the Israeli enemy", one of the complainants, lawyer Mohamad Amer Al Haj Hassan, told reporters.

Lebanese lawyers have filed a complaint against local banker Antoun Sehnaoui for meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week in Washington