Tel Aviv [Israel], May 14 (ANI): The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said on Wednesday that PM Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates in the midst of the Israeli military operations against Iran and met President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sharing the statement in a post on X, the Israeli PMO said that the visit by Netanyahu in the middle of ‘Operation Roaring Lion’ led to a historic breakthrough between Israel and the UAE.
“Prime Minister’s Office Statement: In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE”, the posts said.
https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2054613742424355266?s=20
https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2054613756429111300?s=20
The Times of Israel reported that earlier this week, citing senior US officials who confirmed that Israel sent an Iron Dome battery and soldiers to operate it to the UAE during the war with Iran.
In addition, Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice during the conflict with Iran in order to coordinate on the conflict, according to Arab officials and a source familiar with the matter who told The Wall Street Journal.
Times of Israel said that the two countries also reportedly coordinated an attack on a major Iranian petrochemical site.
Shortly after the announcement by the Israeli PMO, the UAE denied reports regarding the visit of the Israeli PM or of receiving any Israeli military delegation.
https://x.com/mofauae/status/2054663143889191303?s=20
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically denied the reports, saying, “The UAE reaffirms that its relations with Israel are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements. Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE.” (ANI)
Related reading
