A Lebanese man has reportedly been arrested after showing the Israeli flag in a video he posted on TikTok.

In the video, which has since been removed from the social media platform, Ali Attieh could be seen with images of a Lebanese and an Israeli flag. In answer to a question which appeared on the screen above him “[What is] your favourite Arab country”, he turned his head in the direction of the Israeli flag, which is highlighted and stamped with a purple heart emoji.

As the flags of other Middle Eastern countries appear on the screen, the social media user continued to display his preference for Israel.

After the video was shared online, Attieh was reportedly arrested.

https://x.com/lebanondebate/status/1703758628560249135?s=20

The Jerusalem Post quoted Lebanon’s general directorate of state security as saying on Monday: “Legal action was carried out against him under the supervision of the competent judiciary.”

Lebanese law bans contact between its citizens and Israelis, as well as the conducting of any form of business, although there are some exemptions for Christian clerics and people with relatives in Israel.

In July 2022, the Maronite archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land, Moussa El-Hage, was reportedly detained by Lebanese authorities when he returned from a trip to Israel. He had been transportingmoney and aid from Lebanese people living in Israel to give to their relatives in Israel, according to media reports from the time.

Justice Fadi Akiki told the Lebanese newspaper Annahar that the funds were from Lebanese people living in Israel, “the majority of whom work in the interest of the enemy". The money, he said, was subject to Lebanese laws.

“I respect the church, but there is a law that is the boycott of Israel and it is my duty as a judge to implement it,” the judge said.