Netanyahu and UAE President Hold Secret Meeting in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates' official news agency confirmed on Monday that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a secret political meeting in Abu Dhabi the previous day. The official statement indicated that the leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen and upgrade them across various sectors. This confirmation followed a period of media silence from Emirati officials regarding the meeting.

Sources in the political sphere interpret the second meeting between the two leaders within a few months as a sign that the UAE views its relationship with Israel as a strategic, long-term asset, independent of Israeli leadership changes. The clandestine visit reportedly took place on Sunday, utilizing a business jet owned by an Israeli businessman. This aircraft is regularly used by senior Israeli security and government officials for special flights globally and had previously transported Netanyahu during his wartime visit to Abu Dhabi.

The jet departed Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 12:00 PM, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 3:10 PM. It departed Abu Dhabi approximately four hours later, at 7:10 PM, landing back in Israel shortly after 10:00 PM.

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister's Office in Israel issued its own official confirmation. The statement noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife visited the UAE at the invitation of President bin Zayed. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges. Participants from the Israeli side included the National Security Advisor, the Director of the Mossad, the Military Secretary, and a diplomatic advisor.