Homeland's' Portrayal of Beirut Prompts Lebanon to Consider Lawsuit

Authorities are unhappy that the city is depicted as swarming with militiamen and that the show is actually shot in Israel.

Lebanese authorities are unhappy with the way their country is portrayed in Homeland and are looking into what legal action they might be able to take against Showtime's Emmy-winning drama, the Associated Press reported.

Some Beirutis are reportedly angry because their city is depicted in the series as swarming with militiamen, which they say is misleading. Lebanese Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud told The Associated Press that authorities are mulling their legal options.

In particular, one scene he pointed to features snipers on top of rooftops as the world's No. 1 jihadi arrives for a meeting with top Hezbollah commanders. Hamra Street in West Beirut is portrayed as a hotbed of violence, but it is actually a lively neighborhood packed with cafes, book shops and pubs.

Additionally, the scene was actually shot in Israel, and many Beiruitis see that country as the enemy.

But Ariel Kolitz, a Tel Aviv businessman who was a childhood friend of Gideon Raff, the Israeli co-creator of Homeland, said it wasn't as if the production team had the option of shooting in Beirut, where Raff and other Israelis involved are not permitted to visit and where they could be in danger.

"It's a lot simpler to shoot here," he said. "That's it."

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