Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that he undertook a clandestine visit to the United Arab Emirates amid the conflict with Iran, where he reportedly held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Netanyahu’s office described the visit as a pivotal event that has paved the way for a significant advancement in the diplomatic relationship between Israel and the UAE.
The meeting, which allegedly took place on March 26 in Al Ain, a city near the Oman border, lasted several hours. Reports suggest that David Barnea, the director of Israel’s Mossad, visited the UAE multiple times during the Iran conflict to coordinate military strategies. These actions underscore the evolving alliance in the Middle East, a relationship further highlighted by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, revealing that Israel had provided its Iron Dome air defense system to the UAE during the conflict, along with military experts to operate it.
Despite these developments, the UAE’s foreign ministry has denied claims of Netanyahu’s visit, labeling them as unfounded. Additionally, reports indicated that the UAE conducted covert retaliatory strikes on Iran, including a refinery attack on Lavan Island in April, following Iranian assaults on Emirati oil facilities. This marks another chapter in the UAE’s efforts to solidify its position on the international stage, independent of its traditionally close ties with larger neighbor Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, the UAE made a significant move by withdrawing from the Saudi-led oil consortium, OPEC, a decision that has weakened the organization’s influence in global oil markets.
In 2020, the UAE became the first Islamic nation to formalize relations with Israel, initiating a wave of similar accords known as the Abraham Accords with Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Among these countries, the UAE has been the most proactive in expanding this relationship into what can be described as a strategic alliance. Both Israel and the UAE have enjoyed robust relations with the Trump administration, a connection that has deepened through their involvement in the conflict with Iran. However, these alliances could face challenges with potential policy shifts in Washington.
Both nations are currently under intense scrutiny for their respective roles in regional conflicts. Israel faces allegations of committing genocide in Gaza, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. Similarly, the UAE is accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces, a group implicated in severe human rights violations in Sudan, although the Emirati government has denied these accusations despite substantial evidence to the contrary.