Netanyahu Secretly Visits UAE, Meets President Bin Zayed Amidst Post-War Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a brief, unannounced visit to Abu Dhabi on September 27th, meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Netanyahu traveled by private jet and returned to Israel the same day. The primary focus of their discussions was reportedly the threat posed by Iran, with both leaders also addressing recent reports about alleged warnings given to Netanyahu before the October 7th Hamas attacks. The visit, which was only revealed after Netanyahu's return, is seen as a gesture of goodwill from the UAE towards the Israeli Prime Minister.

Discussions also centered on U.S. efforts to form a coalition against Iran. Abu Dhabi has adopted a firm stance against Tehran, halting trade and banning Iranian flights. The meeting occurred amidst a period of closer ties between Israel and the UAE following the war with Iran, highlighted by Israel's temporary provision of its Iron Dome missile defense system and operators to the UAE. Emirati diplomats expressed gratitude for this support during wartime, stating it would not be forgotten and emphasizing the importance of knowing true friends during difficult times.

The UAE and Bahrain were noted as the only Arab nations whose representatives remained in the UN General Assembly hall during Netanyahu's speech on September 24th, while many other delegates departed. This was not Netanyahu's first secret visit to the UAE; he previously visited Abu Dhabi and met with bin Zayed during the Second Lebanon War in 2026.

Separately, the article details reports from a new book by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, claiming Netanyahu received a specific warning about an impending operation from Yahya Sinwar about a week and a half before October 7th. According to Eldar, Sinwar, then Hamas leader in Gaza, conveyed a message through a Fatah representative to an advisor of the UAE president, warning of a "big surprise" or "earthquake" if negotiations did not progress. Eldar states that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar received this information on September 15th and passed it to Netanyahu. The book further alleges that bin Zayed contacted Netanyahu via a secure app approximately 45 minutes later to confirm he had received the warning about a potential major attack by Hamas. However, the article also notes that The New York Times reported similar claims from sources, while an Emirati website, The National, cited an Emirati source stating that President bin Zayed did not warn Netanyahu before October 7th. Netanyahu himself has categorically denied any such conversation took place.