Lebanese businessman hosts Netanyahu and wife at Washington dinner

A photo of Lebanese businessman and banker Antoun Sehnaoui with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington has triggered widespread controversy in Lebanon. Lebanese media reported that several lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Sehnaoui, accusing him of communicating with Israel.

Social media users and activists argued that this incident is not merely a personal act, but raises serious legal and political issues, most notably a clear violation of the Lebanese Penal Code, which prohibits any form of contact or unauthorized relations with Israel.

The US news site Axios published a photo showing Sehnaoui and former US envoy to Lebanon Morgan Ortagus with Netanyahu and his wife. The report said Sehnaoui hosted a dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening, on the sidelines of an event commemorating the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The dinner was also attended by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, members of the Graham family, and several Republican and Democratic politicians.

Sehnaoui is a prominent Lebanese businessman and banker, serving as chairman of Société Générale de Banque au Liban, one of the country's largest banks.

Lebanon's "Boycott Israel" law prohibits any individual or entity from entering into agreements with organizations or persons residing in Israel. Violators face temporary hard labor of three to ten years and a financial fine.