Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a covert meeting with the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the peak of the conflict with Iran. According to Netanyahu’s office, this encounter marked a pivotal moment in strengthening the relations between Israel and the UAE. The meeting took place on March 26 in Al Ain, a city near the Oman border. Additionally, it has emerged that Mossad Director David Barnea made multiple visits to the UAE amid the conflict to coordinate military strategies.
This secret meeting highlights the evolving alliance between Israel and the UAE, with the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, revealing that Israel provided its Iron Dome air defense system to the UAE. The deployment included sending military specialists to operate the system during the war. Huckabee emphasized the exceptional bond between the two nations, underlined by their collaborative defense efforts.
However, the UAE’s foreign ministry refuted claims of Netanyahu’s visit, labeling them as “baseless.” Furthermore, reports have suggested that the UAE independently conducted strikes on Iranian targets, including an attack on a refinery on Lavan Island, as alleged retaliation for Iranian assaults on its oil facilities. These developments are part of a broader realignment in the region following the UAE’s 2020 decision to normalize relations with Israel, a move followed by Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan under the “Abraham Accords.”
The UAE has distinguished itself by deepening ties with Israel far beyond the other signatories of the accords, forming what amounts to a de facto alliance. In a notable diplomatic shift, the UAE recently exited the Saudi-led oil cartel, OPEC, reflecting its desire to pursue an independent foreign policy. Both Israel and the UAE have cultivated strong connections with the Trump administration, particularly through their involvement in the Iran conflict, though this relationship may face challenges with any shift in U.S. policy.
Despite their strategic collaboration, both nations face scrutiny over alleged war crimes. Israel is under international investigation for purported genocide in Gaza, with arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, the UAE is accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces, implicated in mass atrocities in Sudan, although the UAE government denies these allegations despite substantial evidence to the contrary.