Israel, UAE Vow to Strengthen Ties After Terror Attempt on Flydubai Flight

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday following a security incident on a Flydubai flight that briefly stranded Israeli passengers in Saudi Arabia. Both ministers expressed a strong commitment to deepening bilateral relations across all sectors and cooperating against extremist elements aiming to disrupt regional security and stability. Ashkenazi updated his Emirati counterpart on the safe return of the Israeli passengers to Israel, a development the UAE minister welcomed.

The conversation was described as warm by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Concurrently, at Ashkenazi's direction, the Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, Eden Bar-Tal, briefed all Israeli ambassadors and heads of missions worldwide. The briefing outlined the current situation, emphasizing that the incident was a terror attempt targeting Israelis, the UAE, and the Abraham Accords. The ministry stressed that terrorism would not undermine the robust relationship between Israel and the UAE or hinder regional progress.

Since the initial reports of the incident, the Foreign Ministry has been actively involved in efforts to ensure the passengers' safe return, coordinating operations both domestically and through its overseas missions. The ministry's situation center maintained constant contact with the passengers' families, providing updates and support throughout the day. The Israeli ambassador to the UAE liaised with the stranded passengers in Saudi Arabia, assisted in their transfer to a rescue flight, and engaged with relevant authorities until their safe return to Israel.