Dozens of Lebanese Americans have filed a class action lawsuit against the US government and several defense contractors, alleging their involvement in Israel’s war in Lebanon violates US law barring assistance to foreign governments known for human rights abuses.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, August 13, 2026, in the US District Court in Michigan. Defendants include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Caterpillar. Plaintiffs comprise the Michigan-based Arab American Civil Rights League and 16 individuals, all US citizens owning property in Lebanon affected by what they claim was Israel’s indiscriminate use of force during the conflict.
Among the plaintiffs is Nasser Beydoun, a Michigan businessman and politician, who alleges Israeli forces destroyed his family home in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, without military necessity or justification.
The suit argues that by supplying Israel with funds and weapons used in these actions, the US government violates the Leahy Law, which prohibits military assistance to foreign militaries credibly linked to gross human rights violations.
Nabih Ayad, a lawyer and head of the Arab American Civil Rights League, stated, “The law is very clear and has been enforced around the world, but when it comes to Israel, there is zero enforcement.” He added, “You have credible information about gross human rights violations that have happened…yet you are doing nothing about it.”
The Arab American Civil Rights League has a history of major civil rights litigation, including challenging the previous Trump administration’s "Muslim ban," suing major banks for discrimination against Muslim and Arab Americans, and a 2023 suit seeking to compel the US to evacuate citizens trapped in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Lebanon recently passed a long-sought amnesty law a day after repealing the death penalty.
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