UAE Confirms Netanyahu’s Secret Abu Dhabi Visit

The UAE has confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on September 27. The meeting came amid renewed controversy over an alleged warning before the October 7, 2023 attack.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Monday that the two leaders discussed relations between the UAE and Israel. They also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

The visit had not been publicly announced before Netanyahu arrived in Abu Dhabi. Israeli media first reported the trip over the weekend.

The meeting has drawn attention because of a recent report by Haaretz. The report alleged that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu about a possible major Hamas operation before October 7, 2023.

According to the report, Sheikh Mohamed spoke to Netanyahu by phone about 10 days before the attack. He allegedly referred to a threat by then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar about a major surprise. The report also said the UAE leader had alerted Israel’s Shin Bet security agency.

Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning. His office has rejected the Haaretz report, and Netanyahu has called it fabricated and politically motivated.

UAE-Israel Ties

The UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel through the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.

The latest meeting comes amid continued regional tensions over Gaza. The UAE has said it maintains direct communication with Israeli officials. Its Foreign Ministry said earlier this month that it does not comment on media reports about conversations between government leaders. It also said relevant intelligence has been communicated between the two sides when necessary

The meeting also comes ahead of Israel’s scheduled Knesset elections in October. Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure as the controversy over the events before October 7 remains a subject of debate in Israel.