A Lebanese-American man has been referred to a military court in Lebanon for trial proceedings after allegedly contacting the Israeli embassy in Cyprus, while insisting his intention was not to provide intelligence but to secure assistance to return to the United States.
According to Lebanese media reports, Michel B., a former member of the US Army’s military intelligence services, settled in Lebanon in 2001 after retiring from military service.
Message sent to Israeli embassy in Cyprus
Lebanese authorities reportedly received information last April indicating that the suspect had contacted the Israeli embassy in Cyprus.
After his arrest, investigators examined his mobile phone and found that on 30 October 2025 he had sent a text message to a number believed to belong to the embassy, identifying himself as a US citizen and claiming he had already sent “sensitive security information” by email.
“I wanted to reach the US embassy”
During questioning, the defendant denied intending to pass information to Israel.
He said he referred to “sensitive information” only to attract the attention of Israeli officials in the hope they would help him establish contact with the US embassy in Cyprus after, he claimed, American diplomatic authorities had failed to respond to his requests for assistance.
He also told investigators that he wanted to leave Lebanon with his wife because they had received death threats and he had been labelled an “American Zionist”.
Court postpones case until September
The defendant was held in custody for 35 days before being released on bail of 70 million Lebanese pounds.
Appearing before the military court, he maintained that he had no links to Israel and stated that he opposed “Zionist Jews” for both religious and national reasons.
His defence lawyer requested additional time to submit final arguments, and the court adjourned the trial until September.
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