UAE Denies Report of Warning Netanyahu Before Oct. 7 Attack

The United Arab Emirates has officially responded to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which claimed that the UAE's ruler had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a week before the October 7th Hamas attacks. A UAE official told Channel 14 News that there is frustration in the Emirates over the country's name being repeatedly linked to Israeli political events, forcing them to issue denials.

The official stated that Abu Dhabi wishes to avoid being drawn into Israel's internal political disputes. The report in Haaretz was reportedly based on the testimony of a Palestinian from Gaza who had immigrated to the UAE and claimed to have witnessed a conversation involving UAE ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Officials familiar with UAE customs have expressed skepticism about this aspect of the testimony, noting that access to high-level political discussions is extremely limited and typically restricted to those close to the ruling family.

Sources close to the Prime Minister's office also rejected the reported event, asserting it did not occur. They argued that a political conversation at such a high level would require extensive prior preparation and coordination, leaving traces in official systems even if later expunged. Security officials have strongly refuted the report, labeling it "complete fake" and questioning its origin and how it came to be published.

The UAE's response indicates a desire to distance itself from the controversy and prevent its involvement in Israeli domestic political debates.