Israel: Netanyahu Visited the UAE "Secretly" During the Iran War.. Abu Dhabi Denies

- The office of the Israeli Prime Minister reported that Benjamin Netanyahu made a "secret visit" to the United Arab Emirates during the American-Israeli war on Iran, which Abu Dhabi denied. The office stated in a statement that Netanyahu met during the visit with the Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, adding that it resulted in a "historic achievement" in relations between Israel and the UAE, without specifying the date of the visit or clarifying the nature of this achievement.

In contrast, the UAE denied the circulating reports regarding "the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister to the state, or the reception of any Israeli military delegation on its territory," according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The UAE confirmed that "its relations with Israel are public, established within the framework of the known and announced Abrahamic agreement, and are not based on secrecy or hidden arrangements."

It emphasized that "any claims about visits or undisclosed arrangements are baseless unless issued by the official competent authorities in the United Arab Emirates." It urged media outlets to "exercise accuracy, and not to circulate unverified information or use it to create political impressions."

Earlier this month, sources told Afaaq News that Netanyahu issued secret orders to the Israeli army to send the Iron Dome system designed to intercept short-range missiles to the UAE, along with soldiers to operate it. At that time, several Israeli officials stated to Afaaq News that as the UAE distances itself from its traditional allies due to their stance on the Iranian war, Israel sees an "unprecedented opportunity" to strengthen relations between the two countries.