The Association of Lebanese Industrialists say that Israel, by marketing its own brands of the traditional dishes, is costing its members millions of dollars a year, The Independent reported.

The action does have a precedent. In 2005, the European Court ruled that only feta cheese made in Greece can use the name.

Given relations between Israel and Lebanon, the dispute has a political dimension. Rami Levy, eating at a Jewish hummus restaurant in Jerusalem, was philosophical.

"Everyone copies something from the other and then adds something of their own. It's the same in food as in music," he said. "But let them fight about food. It's a lot better than fighting about territory."

Restaurant owner Itzhak Rachmo, whose family moved to Israel from Syria, was angry.

"Because they can't create planes and guns and atomic weapons, they are trying to latch onto something so stupid," he said.