Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and regional challenges during his recent meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel. This meeting took place on September 24 in the United Arab Emirates, and the Israeli Prime Minister traveled to the region at the invitation of the President of this country.
Details of the Meeting
According to published reports, the meeting lasted six hours and discussed issues related to Iran as one of the main regional challenges. This report marks the first official confirmation from the United Arab Emirates regarding Netanyahu's visit to the country. The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel also stated that the purpose of this trip was to strengthen relations between the two countries and to discuss common challenges at the regional level.
Background of UAE-Israel Relations
Relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel began in 2020 with the signing of the Abraham Accords, which established official diplomatic relations between the two countries. This agreement allowed the UAE, as an Arab country, to establish close relations with Israel while also acting as a lever for regional influence and a unique channel to Washington.
Previously, in May, the United Arab Emirates had emphasized that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed had not met with Netanyahu after the Israeli Prime Minister's office claimed that Netanyahu secretly traveled to the UAE and met with the President of this country. However, sources familiar with the meeting reported that this meeting took place on March 26 in the city of Al Ain, located in Abu Dhabi near the Oman border.
Strengthening relations with Israel comes at a time when the United Arab Emirates has been actively seeking to bolster its ties with the United States and Israel following recent attacks in the war with Iran. These relations help the UAE operate more effectively in security and economic matters and better address regional challenges.
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