DID Press: A dispute has emerged over reports of a secret visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict with Iran, as Abu Dhabi denied the claims despite growing reports of deepening security coordination between the two sides.
According to the Israeli prime minister’s office, Netanyahu allegedly traveled secretly to the UAE before the ceasefire and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in the city of Al Ain near the Oman border. Israeli officials described the meeting as a “historic breakthrough” in bilateral relations.
However, the UAE Foreign Ministry rejected the reports, calling them “completely baseless” and insisting no covert meeting had taken place. Abu Dhabi stated that relations with Israel are managed within the framework of the Abraham Accords and do not require “secret diplomacy.”
The controversy comes amid increasing reports of military and intelligence cooperation between the UAE and Israel. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee claimed that Israel transferred Iron Dome air defense systems to the UAE during the war with Iran and deployed Israeli personnel to operate them.
Israeli media have also reported secret visits to the UAE by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet director David Zini as part of wartime security coordination.
Analysts say that regardless of whether Netanyahu personally visited the UAE, the broader trend of expanding strategic ties between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv has become increasingly visible through defense, intelligence and political cooperation.