Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, marking the first public acknowledgment of a meeting between him and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al‑Nahyan. Official press releases from both governments confirm the visit, which the Israeli side describes as a step toward bolstering bilateral ties amid the Gaza conflict.
The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic relations and addressing regional security challenges, including the Iran war. A joint statement, released by the UAE’s foreign ministry, highlighted shared interests in stabilizing the Gulf region and expanding trade links.
Security officials, including the head of the Mossad, accompanied Netanyahu, underscoring the visit’s strategic weight. Earlier this week, the Israeli domestic security service filed a complaint against a television channel that had reported the trip, citing concerns that the disclosure could jeopardize the safety of the prime minister, his wife, and the delegation.
The encounter follows a controversial claim that the UAE president had warned Netanyahu about the October 7 Hamas attack. Netanyahu has denied passing that warning to security services, a narrative that has fueled debate within Israeli circles.
The meeting comes two years after the Abraham Accords, when the UAE became the first Arab state to normalize ties with Israel. Both sides also noted Israel’s deployment of Iron Dome batteries to the UAE, a gesture that has reinforced mutual security cooperation.
Following the press conference, the two governments announced a series of forthcoming agreements, including a trade pacts and joint military exercises, set to begin in the coming months.