Lebanese banker Antoun Sehnaoui trended on social media on Wednesday after his name was inscribed as a donor of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance ceremony in Washington on Tuesday.
Sehnaoui, a chairman of one of Lebanon’s largest banks, Societe Generale de Banque au Liban Group, visited the memorial along with his Jewish partner Morgan Ortagus. Ortagus was sworn in as President Trump’s Deputy Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East in January last year, but has since left the role
“Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Morgan and I had the honor of attending the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance ceremony in Washington, D.C., where our inscription on the Donors Wall was unveiled,” Sehnaoui published on X. “This year, and every year, we are reminded that it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations never forget. We are deeply grateful to support this institution and its vital work.”
Sehnaoui is the first Lebanese name to be inscribed on the donor’s wall
Delivering a speech, Ortagus shared that Sehnaoui was a Lebanese Christian Zionist and noted the number of peace initiatives he sponsored were considered illegal in his home country.
“What makes it a little bit different – I’m going to brag about him because I love him – what Antoun is doing today is technically illegal in Lebanon,” she said. “I’m so proud of him today for doing something illegal in Lebanon.”
Sehnaoui is the first Lebanese name to be inscribed on the donor’s wall.
Following the event’s publication on social media, Arab social media accounts were quick to condemn Sehnaoui for both his presence at the event and for his romantic relationship with a Jewish woman.
One account published that Sehnaoui belonged “behind bars,” while another accused him of converting to Judaism and “betraying” his country.”
“Donate to our kllers so they can do something worst than holocaust to us. You are a disgusting despicable person with no sense of respect to your own people,” another responded to his post. “Trust me no one of them will care if anything happens to you goy.”
Sehnaoui’s attendance was also widely reported in Lebanese media, including al-mashhad and janoubia, though little was said beyond the controversial beginnings of his relationship.