BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have opened an investigation into banker Antoine Sehnaoui over allegations of unlawful contact with Israel after photographs showing him seated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a dinner in Washington circulated on social media.
Public prosecutor Judge Ahmad Rami Al-Hajj instructed Lebanon’s security services to investigate the case within 30 days, starting on July 30, on suspicion of violating the country’s boycott law and provisions related to contact with Israel.
The Technical Information Bureau of the Internal Security Forces confirmed to the prosecutor that the photograph, taken during a July 28 dinner in Washington, was authentic and had not been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence.
The images sparked widespread criticism in Lebanon, where contact with Israeli officials remains highly sensitive as Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese businessman and banker Antoun Sehnaoui and former U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus hosted a dinner in memory of Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Four Seasons in Washington, D.C., on Monday night
The event was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife… pic.twitter.com/00v3Q6EK28— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) July 28, 2026
A group of lawyers filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office alleging that the reported meeting could constitute offenses against Lebanon’s external security, including communicating with the enemy and providing assistance that could strengthen Israel’s interests.
Separately, 19 Shiite lawyers called for Sehnaoui to be summoned for questioning and for legal action under the Penal Code and the Law on Boycotting Israel.
The case has triggered debate among legal experts over whether appearing alongside an Israeli official constitutes a criminal offense under Lebanese law.
On Tuesday, Lebanese social media users widely shared photographs and a report by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid stating that Sehnaoui hosted Netanyahu, his wife and several American figures at a dinner in Washington.
According to the report, Sehnaoui and former US envoy Morgan Ortagus co-hosted the dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington on Monday evening, on the sidelines of memorial events for the late US Senator Lindsey Graham. Sehnaoui was photographed seated at the same table as Netanyahu.
Legal expert Saeed Malek said the Lebanese Constitution does not explicitly mention Israel, although it refers to “the enemy.” He noted that the Penal Code and the Law on Boycotting Israel prohibit commercial, financial and other forms of dealings with Israeli entities, as well as entry into Israeli territory.
The Legal Informatics Center at the Lebanese University says the boycott law bars individuals and companies from entering, directly or indirectly, into agreements with Israeli entities, Israeli nationals or anyone acting on their behalf when such agreements involve commercial, financial or other forms of dealings. The law also prohibits the import, exchange or trade of Israeli goods and financial instruments in Lebanon.
Legal researcher Fouad Matar said Lebanese legislation treats dealings with Israel as offenses against the state and national sovereignty. He said cooperation with Israel is criminalized under Lebanese law and may carry severe penalties under both civilian and military legislation.
Under Article 273 of the Lebanese Penal Code, a Lebanese citizen who commits acts of aggression against Lebanon during wartime faces life imprisonment with hard labor. Article 275 provides for the death penalty for any Lebanese citizen who conspires or communicates with the enemy to assist it in achieving military success.
Matar said the seriousness of such offenses places them under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Council and military courts rather than ordinary criminal courts.
Sehnaoui is chairman of Societe Generale de Banque au Liban and owns financial and media businesses in Lebanon and abroad. A prominent and often polarizing businessman, he has long faced criticism from opponents who accuse him of using his wealth to wield political and economic influence.
