UAE security delegation quietly lands in Israel on royal jet during Iran war

A senior Emirati security delegation arrived in Israel in complete secrecy during the war with Iran, flying in on a royal Boeing 737 VIP jet used normally by the UAE ruling family. The visit, disclosed Tuesday evening by reporter Itay Blumental on Kan News, is the first reported official physical arrival of senior Abu Dhabi figures in Israel since the fighting began.

The talks were held under heavy secrecy and focused on urgent strategic coordination between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi against shared regional threats, as part of the broader security relationship built since the Abraham Accords. The report says the visit also continues a series of secret trips by Israeli officials to the UAE since the war started.

Among the Israeli participants were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, both of whom have recently visited the Emirates as part of ongoing coordination. The report also notes that Shin Bet chief David Zini recently met in the UAE with Mohammed Dahlan, a former senior Fatah figure and adviser to the Emirati president, in the context of strategic ties between the countries.

The timing is especially sensitive because the visit came amid intense regional tensions and after Iran accused Israel and the United States of being behind recent drone attacks in the UAE. Despite Arab criticism and the diplomatic sensitivity, the Emirates is continuing to maintain its strategic relationship with Israel.