Lebanese American Businessman Faces Arrest Order After Meeting Netanyahu in Washington

Lebanon’s prosecution service announced Thursday that authorities had issued a temporary arrest warrant for Lebanese American businessman and banker Antoine Sfeir. The move came after he was filmed two days earlier speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a dinner in Washington.

The footage sparked an uproar in Lebanon, and Attorney General Ahmad Rami al-Hajj issued a 30-day search order for Sfeir, allowing for his arrest and questioning. The suspicions: "collaboration with the Israeli enemy and violation of Lebanon’s official boycott law against Israel."

It should be noted that the businessman is the partner of Morgan Ortagus, deputy to envoy Steve Witkoff. On Tuesday, Sfeir was filmed sitting at the same table as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. The meeting took place during a special dinner in memory of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Many of the late senator’s supporters, as well as associates of President Donald Trump, attended the dinner.