UAE confirms Netanyahu visit to Abu Dhabi

What the report says

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Abu Dhabi and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Al Jazeera’s report citing the official Emirates News Agency. The meeting took place on Sunday, with the public confirmation following earlier Israeli media reports about the trip.

WAM said the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and ways to deepen cooperation between the UAE and Israel. The visit comes at a politically sensitive moment for Netanyahu, who is facing domestic pressure in Israel ahead of Knesset elections expected in October. Al Jazeera also noted that the trip comes amid renewed controversy over reports that Bin Zayed warned Netanyahu about a possible Hamas attack before the October 7, 2023 assault; Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning and has threatened legal action against Haaretz over its account.

The UAE and Israel established formal relations under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, and their ties have expanded since then, including security and diplomatic contacts. The report added that the visit is notable because the UAE previously denied an earlier claim that Netanyahu had visited the country in May, saying the relationship is public and not clandestine.