UAE Confirms Netanyahu's Abu Dhabi Visit, Regional Security Talks

The United Arab Emirates has officially confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on September 27, meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported the meeting occurred, focusing on bilateral relations and their development. However, details emerging from diplomatic sources suggest the discussions were far more extensive than initially presented.

According to two Gulf diplomatic sources, the closed-door meeting included senior representatives from at least two other regional states that do not currently have diplomatic ties with Israel. The primary focus of this expanded discussion was Iran, with participants coordinating political and military stances and discussing defense against Houthi threats. The meeting reportedly proceeded with the knowledge and support of the U.S. administration.

Netanyahu's trip, initially perceived as a private visit to a key Arab partner, has thus taken on a broader regional significance, with discussions extending beyond Israeli-Emirati relations to encompass regional security architecture. The Israeli delegation reportedly included Mossad Director Roman Gofman, National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, and other senior security officials.

The visit also gained sensitivity due to recent Israeli media reports claiming UAE intelligence had warned Israel's Shin Bet in September 2023 about a potential major Hamas operation, and that bin Zayed subsequently contacted Netanyahu. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning. According to AP, Netanyahu asked bin Zayed during the current meeting to officially deny these reports.

Adding another layer to the story, a report on the visit by Israel's Channel 12 News was published before Netanyahu's plane returned to Israel. The Prime Minister's office subsequently filed a complaint with the military censor, citing security risks. The official confirmation from Abu Dhabi arrived a day later, underscoring the substantial, behind-the-scenes discussions on Iran, the Houthis, and regional crises involving other Gulf states and U.S. backing.