Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law?

Beatrice Farhat

Members of Lebanese security forces stand guard in the perimeter of the Parliament, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president in Beirut on January 8, 2025. Lebanese political heavyweights held talks on January 8, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president of the tiny Mediterranean country, already deep in economic and political crisis, and which has been without a president for more than two years. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images) — Members of Lebanese security forces stand guard in the perimeter of the Parliament, a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president in Beirut on January 8, 2025. — ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

BEIRUT — As Lebanon and Israel engage in direct talks under US sponsorship, a Lebanese law that criminalizes any form of contact with Israelis has entered the spotlight, with US President Donald Trump calling for its repeal.

Speaking to reporters after the last round of talks on April 23, Trump said the law must be scrapped. “That's something we're going to have to end. I've never heard of that,” he said.

“I'm pretty sure that that'll be ended very quickly. Okay? I'll make sure of that,” he added, as he instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead the effort.

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Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law?

The 1955 law criminalizes all dealings with Israel, raising questions about how far Beirut can even go with its current engagement, currently at the ambassadorial level.

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