Netanyahu Makes Unannounced UAE Visit, Meets Emirati President

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, where he met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE officially confirmed the visit on Monday. Emirati state news agency WAM said the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen ties.

Netanyahu’s office said the visit took place at the invitation of the Emirati president. It said the talks focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and addressing regional challenges.

Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that the meeting lasted about six hours and focused heavily on Iran.

Netanyahu was accompanied by senior Israeli officials, including the head of the National Security Council and the director of Mossad. His military secretary and foreign policy adviser also joined the visit.

The trip was not announced in advance. Initial reports of the visit appeared in Israeli media on Sunday before either government publicly confirmed it.

The meeting also came amid disputed reports concerning warnings before Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Haaretz and other outlets have reported that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu before the attack about a possible Hamas threat. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning.

The Associated Press reported, citing people briefed on the meeting, that Netanyahu asked the Emirati president to deny the warning claim publicly. Netanyahu’s office later rejected that account as false and said the purpose of the visit was to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.

The UAE Foreign Ministry has not publicly confirmed the alleged pre-October 7 warning. It has said that the country maintains direct communication with Israel and shares relevant intelligence.

Israel and the UAE established formal diplomatic relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. Since then, the countries have expanded cooperation in trade, tourism, technology and security.

The latest meeting comes as both countries continue to confront regional tensions involving Iran. Reuters reported that the UAE has strengthened its ties with both Israel and the United States following attacks during the Iran conflict.