Antoun Sehnaoui, a prominent Lebanese banker, received public accolades for his long-standing support of Israel from US Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus at a Washington D.C. event on Tuesday, Al Jazeera reported. The commendation emerged as Israeli forces continued ground operations in southern Lebanon, displacing over a million people. Critics quickly pointed to the contentious timing, questioning the diplomatic implications and Sehnaoui's allegiances.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hosted the event, a venue Sehnaoui has reportedly supported financially. Here is the number that matters: Over one million Lebanese citizens have been displaced from the country's south since mid-March, according to Al Jazeera, a figure representing roughly 20 percent of the national population. This mass displacement underscores the gravity of the conflict unfolding on the ground, even as diplomatic and social engagements proceed elsewhere.
Morgan Ortagus, widely known for her pro-Israel stances during her tenure in the Trump administration, addressed the audience. She spoke of "moral clarity" required to back Israel, even when it entails personal risk. Her remarks specifically highlighted Sehnaoui's actions, including his funding of a US-Israeli opera project.
Ortagus asserted that these actions were "technically illegal in Lebanon," where laws prohibit dealings with Israeli individuals or institutions. Her comments were clear. Ortagus further detailed Sehnaoui's family history, describing generations of "committed Lebanese Christian Zionists." She noted that Sehnaoui had been "trained to be a supporter of the State of Israel and the Jewish people" by his family.
This historical framing connects to a longstanding familial relationship with Israel, a connection that includes his father, Nabil. Nabil Sehnaoui was a key financier of the Lebanese Forces (LF), a Christian militia that allied with Israel during its 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The LF faced accusations of participating in massacres at the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut that same year.
For many in Lebanon, the timing of these public statements was particularly problematic. The country currently awaits the full benefits of a US-imposed ceasefire, a fragile agreement that followed weeks of intense Israeli military activity. Israel has faced multiple allegations of war crimes since its ground operations began in mid-March, including the use of a "quadruple tap" method designed to maximize civilian casualties from a single strike, Al Jazeera reported.
This tactic aims to target first responders. Social media platforms across Lebanon erupted in condemnation following the circulation of footage from the event. One post, quoted by Israeli media, suggested Sehnaoui belonged "behind bars." Another accused him of converting to Judaism and "betraying his country." "You are a disgusting despicable person with no sense of respect to your own people," a third post claimed.
Public anger was palpable. Makram Rabah, a Lebanese academic and political commentator, acknowledged the controversy. "I think that the timing of the appearance is more problematic than the actual appearance itself," Rabah told Al Jazeera. He clarified that a visit to a Holocaust museum should not inherently be controversial.
However, he distinguished this from openly supporting Israel, especially given the historical context of various Lebanese factions backing it. Ortagus's appointment by the Trump administration in April 2025 drew criticism for her perceived lack of neutrality. Her outspoken support for Israel and firm opposition to Hezbollah have been well-documented.
Michael Young, a Lebanon expert for the Carnegie Middle East Center, noted that her public comments about Sehnaoui's support for Israel should not surprise observers. "I think to a certain extent, it highlighted what many people thought: Was Ortagus really the best envoy the United States could send to Lebanon, given her very clear leaning towards the Israeli side?" Young said. The question persists. Sehnaoui's position within Lebanon's financial elite grants him considerable influence.
He chairs Societe Generale de Banque au Liban (SGBL), one of the nation's largest banks. Critics contend this allows him to shape Lebanese politics across various levels and religious divides. His reach is extensive.
Strip away the noise and the story is simpler than it looks: a powerful figure navigating complex geopolitical currents, often with personal advantage in mind. Despite this influence, Sehnaoui faces significant legal challenges both domestically and internationally. Within Lebanon, prosecutors have filed charges against him and SGBL.
These charges stem from alleged money laundering linked to currency trading operations during the financial crisis that began in 2019. This crisis continues to cripple daily life across Lebanon, four years on. SGBL denies all wrongdoing.
In the United States, SGBL is also the subject of a 2020 civil lawsuit. Families of victims of attacks attributed to Hezbollah in Iraq filed the suit. They allege the bank provided material support to the group.
SGBL also denies these claims. The legal battles add another layer of complexity to Sehnaoui's public profile. Lebanese MP Paula Yacoubian offered a stark assessment of Sehnaoui's operational methods. "He [Sehnaoui] can buy or sell anyone," Yacoubian told Al Jazeera. "He's ready to work with everyone, from [Christian militia] Jnoud el-Rab to Hezbollah.
He doesn't care," she asserted. The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation identifies Jnoud el-Rab as a far-right militia reportedly financed by Sehnaoui, which has carried out violent attacks on Lebanon's LGBTQ community. This is a chilling detail.
Yacoubian suggested that Sehnaoui's recent public alignment with Israel might be an attempt to acquire an "additional layer of immunity." She speculated this could be in exchange for assisting with the normalization of relations with Israel. However, Yacoubian stressed that genuine normalization requires governmental negotiation, such as securing the return of displaced people in southern Lebanon. Bypassing official channels undermines the process.
The market is telling you something. Listen. Why It Matters: This incident illuminates the deep divisions within Lebanon regarding its relationship with Israel, particularly during a period of active conflict.
It also raises questions about the impartiality of US diplomatic efforts in the region and the accountability of powerful financial figures. For ordinary Lebanese citizens, it underscores the perceived disconnect between political elites and the humanitarian realities on the ground, potentially exacerbating social and sectarian tensions already strained by displacement and economic hardship. Key Takeaways: - Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui was publicly praised by US envoy Morgan Ortagus for his pro-Israel views during ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon. - Ortagus cited Sehnaoui's family history as "Lebanese Christian Zionists" and noted his support for projects technically illegal under Lebanese law. - The commendation sparked widespread condemnation across Lebanon, with critics pointing to the insensitive timing amid significant displacement and allegations of war crimes. - Sehnaoui faces domestic money laundering charges and a US civil lawsuit alleging material support for Hezbollah, claims his bank denies.
As anger continues to simmer across Lebanon, the immediate focus remains on the repercussions of Israel's actions since March 2. Tens of thousands have reportedly returned to the battered south since the ceasefire announcement, seeking to recover bodies or assess the damage to their homes. Upcoming legal proceedings against Sehnaoui and SGBL in both Lebanon and the United States will be closely watched.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon will also demand sustained attention, as international aid organizations work to support the displaced populations. Observers will monitor any shifts in US diplomatic strategy for the region following the controversy surrounding Ortagus's remarks.
Key Takeaways
— - Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui was publicly praised by US envoy Morgan Ortagus for his pro-Israel views during ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon.
— - Ortagus cited Sehnaoui's family history as "Lebanese Christian Zionists" and noted his support for projects technically illegal under Lebanese law.
— - The commendation sparked widespread condemnation across Lebanon, with critics pointing to the insensitive timing amid significant displacement and allegations of war crimes.
— - Sehnaoui faces domestic money laundering charges and a US civil lawsuit alleging material support for Hezbollah, claims his bank denies.
Source: Al Jazeera