On May 13 (US time), The Guardian reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the height of the conflict with Iran.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Netanyahu has arrived in the UAE to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Israel believes this trip has created a "historic breakthrough" in relations between Israel and the UAE.
Sources said the two leaders met for several hours in Al Ain, an oasis city near the Oman border, on March 26.
The source also said that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad Director David Barnea has visited the UAE at least twice during the conflict with Iran to coordinate military operations.
If confirmed, Mr. Netanyahu's visit will be a new milestone in the rapidly developing security relationship between Israel and the UAE.
Previously, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel had shared air defense systems with the UAE, including sending Iron Dome batteries and military experts to operate during the war.
Mr. Huckabee said the relationship between the UAE and Israel is "special".
However, the UAE Foreign Ministry denied information that Mr. Netanyahu had visited the country, and described those statements as "baseless".
In 2020, the UAE became the first Islamic nation to sign an agreement to normalize relations with Israel. After that, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan also participated in the process called the Abraham Agreement.
Compared to the remaining countries, the UAE is assessed to have gone further in strengthening relations with Israel, almost forming an alliance in reality.
Relations between Israel and the UAE are also said to be linked to the administration of US President Donald Trump, especially in the context that both countries play a role in the conflict with Iran.
However, both Israel and the UAE are under a lot of international pressure. Israel is accused of crimes in Gaza, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The UAE is also accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, a group accused of causing brutal attacks. The UAE government denies these accusations.
