A memorial dinner in Washington has drawn attention after Lebanese businessman and banker Antoun Sehnaoui hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an event honoring Senator Lindsey Graham.
The dinner took place on Monday at the Four Seasons hotel in Washington. Sehnaoui co-hosted the gathering with former US envoy Morgan Ortagus. The event brought together political figures, business leaders, and members of Graham’s family.
According to reports, several Republican and Democratic senators attended the dinner. The guest list also included a number of well-known figures from government and business circles.
Among those present were Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Facebook executive Dina Powell McCormick, former Department of Government Efficiency adviser Katie Miller, and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter.
The event quickly attracted public attention because of Sehnaoui’s role as a prominent Lebanese banker and the presence of Netanyahu. Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, and contact between citizens of the two countries remains restricted under Lebanese law.
The dinner comes at a time of continued tensions between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli military operations in Lebanon have continued in recent months, causing significant casualties and damage. Israeli forces also remain in parts of southern Lebanon, keeping relations between the two sides highly sensitive.
Sehnaoui is the chief executive of Societe Generale de Banque au Liban and the wealth management firm Fidus. He has remained one of the most recognized figures in Lebanon’s banking sector for many years.
His name became closely linked to debates surrounding Lebanon’s financial crisis, which began in 2019 and led to widespread economic hardship. The crisis affected millions of people and placed intense pressure on the country’s banking system.
Lebanese prosecutors have charged Sehnaoui and his bank with alleged money laundering connected to currency trading activities during the financial crisis. Authorities continue to examine the case as part of broader efforts to investigate financial practices during that period.
The bank has denied wrongdoing and has rejected the allegations. It maintains that its operations complied with legal requirements and says it will continue to defend its position through the legal process.
The latest event has added another layer to public discussion about Sehnaoui’s role in business and public life. Supporters argue that attendance at an international gathering should not be viewed as political endorsement. Critics, however, have questioned the significance of a Lebanese businessman hosting the Israeli prime minister while conflict continues in the region.
The issue has also revived debate about relations between Lebanon and Israel. Although the two countries remain officially opposed and have no formal diplomatic ties, some political groups in Lebanon have historically supported communication with Israel or advocated future relations under certain conditions.
Many of these groups have been associated with parts of the Maronite Christian community. Over the years, reports have suggested that some organizations maintained indirect or unofficial contacts with Israeli figures despite the absence of formal relations.
At the same time, many Lebanese political movements strongly oppose any engagement with Israel. This position remains influential across large sections of the country and continues to shape public opinion on regional issues.
Because of this history, any meeting involving Lebanese and Israeli figures often attracts close attention. Political analysts say the Washington dinner has become a topic of discussion not only because of the people who attended but also because of the broader political context surrounding the event.
The gathering was organized as a memorial dinner, yet its guest list and timing have ensured that it remains part of a wider conversation about politics, diplomacy, and regional relations. As reactions continue, the event is likely to remain a subject of interest among observers in Lebanon, Israel, and the United States.
