Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that he undertook a clandestine visit to the United Arab Emirates during the peak of the Iran conflict to engage in discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday night, this visit marked a significant advancement in the diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE. The two leaders reportedly convened for several hours in Al Ain, a city near the Oman border, on March 26.
During this period, it was also revealed that David Barnea, the head of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, made multiple trips to the UAE to collaborate on military strategies against Iran. Additionally, Israel extended its military cooperation by providing the UAE with its Iron Dome air defense systems, along with specialists to operate them, throughout the duration of the conflict. This development was highlighted by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, who praised the burgeoning relationship between the two nations.
However, the UAE’s foreign ministry has dismissed claims of Netanyahu’s visit as unfounded. Reports have also surfaced suggesting that the UAE conducted covert retaliatory strikes against Iran, targeting a refinery on Lavan Island in early April, following Iranian assaults on Emirati oil facilities.
The UAE was the first Islamic nation to formalize relations with Israel in 2020, initiating what became known as the Abraham Accords. This move was subsequently followed by Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. The UAE has since strengthened its ties with Israel into a de facto alliance, distinguishing its foreign policy from that of its larger neighbor, Saudi Arabia. Notably, the UAE recently exited the Saudi-led oil coalition, OPEC, which has significantly impacted the organization’s influence in global markets.
Despite their strengthened ties, both Israel and the UAE face challenges due to their involvement in the Iran conflict and the potential implications of a shift in U.S. policy. Israel has faced accusations of genocide in Gaza, with international criminal court arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. Meanwhile, the UAE has been implicated in supporting the Rapid Support Forces, accused of committing atrocities in Sudan, although the Emirati government has denied such allegations despite substantial evidence.