During a period of heightened tensions with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly made a clandestine visit to the United Arab Emirates to meet with its president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office announced this meeting as a significant step towards enhancing the bond between Israel and the UAE. The gathering purportedly took place on March 26 in Al Ain, a city near the Omani border, where the two leaders engaged in discussions for several hours.
In addition to this meeting, the Mossad director, David Barnea, is said to have undertaken multiple trips to the UAE to synchronize military operations amidst the conflict with Iran. These visits underscore a developing alliance between the Middle Eastern countries. Further strengthening this relationship, the U.S. ambassador to Israel revealed that Israel had extended its air defense capabilities to the UAE by deploying Iron Dome batteries and military specialists throughout the war.
Despite these developments, the UAE’s foreign ministry refuted claims of Netanyahu’s visit, dismissing them as unfounded. Nonetheless, reports indicate that the UAE conducted its own covert operations against Iran, including an attack on a refinery on Lavan Island in response to Iranian assaults on its oil infrastructure. These activities mark a notable shift in the UAE’s approach, emphasizing its pursuit of an independent foreign policy distinct from that of Saudi Arabia, especially following its withdrawal from OPEC earlier this month.
The UAE’s decision in 2020 to become the first Islamic nation to establish formal relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, followed by Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, has led to a deepening of ties that some describe as a de facto alliance. This growing cooperation with Israel, particularly during the Iran conflict, has been facilitated by strong relationships with the former Trump administration in the U.S. However, both Israel and the UAE face potential challenges due to possible shifts in American foreign policy.
These alliances come under scrutiny as both nations face allegations of involvement in war crimes. Israel has been accused of committing genocide in Gaza, with international arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. Simultaneously, the UAE is suspected of supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, a group allegedly responsible for heinous atrocities, though the Emirati government denies these accusations despite significant evidence.