UAE president discussed bilateral relations with Israel’s Netanyahu
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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (left) discussed bilateral relations during a visit on Sept 27 by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
PHOTOS: AFP, BLOOMBERG
CAIRO – United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations during a visit on Sept 27 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Gulf country, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported on Sept 28.
The report by WAM was the first UAE confirmation of Netanyahu’s visit.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said on Sept 28 that Netanyahu visited at the invitation of the UAE President. It said the visit “focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges”.
Three senior Israeli officials said the meeting on Sept 27 lasted six hours and focused on Iran.
Earlier in 2026, the UAE denied that Mohamed met Netanyahu after the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in May that Netanyahu had “secretly visited” the Gulf country and met the President.
A source familiar with the meeting said at the time that Netanyahu and Mohamed met in Al Ain, an oasis city in Abu Dhabi along the country’s border with Oman, on March 26.
Since coming under attack during the Iran war, the UAE has strengthened its relationships with the US and Israel, with which it opened ties as a result of the 2020 Abraham Accords.
The relationship with Israel gives the UAE a lever for regional influence and a unique channel to Washington. REUTERS