Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s Public Confirmation of Secret UAE Visit Amid Iran War
5/19/2026, 1:55:02 AM
Public Confirmation of Secret UAE Visit
Israel’s PMO announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the early phase of the Iran war, calling it a “historic breakthrough.” The announcement followed reports that ex-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was expected to travel to Abu Dhabi, prompting the PMO to disclose the visit to avoid unequal-treatment perception.
Context and Political Stakes
Israel and the UAE cooperate under the 2020 Abraham Accords, a U.S.-brokered framework aimed at countering Iran. Domestically, Netanyahu’s Likud holds 26 seats in a recent KAN 11 poll, while a Bennett-Lapid alliance holds 25, making the opposition a credible challenger.
Key Dates
Netanyahu’s secret trip occurred early in the Iran war; the PMO disclosed it on May 13, 2024, and reports of IDF chief Eyal Zamir’s talks in Abu Dhabi appeared on May 14-15, 2024.
Data Highlights
The KAN 11 poll gave Likud 26 seats and the Bennett-Lapid alliance 25 seats. The UAE reported intercepting three Iranian drones during the conflict.
Official Statements
The PMO called the meeting a diplomatic milestone. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said bilateral ties are public, established under the Abraham Accords, and called claims of undisclosed visits baseless unless issued by official Emirati authorities.
Criticism
Middle East Institute analyst Natan Sachs called the disclosure a “diplomatic blunder” that could embarrass the UAE and suggested domestic political motives. An i24 source reported Emirati officials were “very angry,” noting the leak reinforced a pattern of excluding Netanyahu from Emirati engagements.
Conflicting Accounts
The UAE foreign ministry denies any Israeli visit, calling Netanyahu’s claim “entirely unfounded,” while Israeli officials maintain the meeting occurred. No independent verification of Bennett’s planned UAE trip has been provided, and the exact agenda of the alleged meetings remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Its relations with Israel are public and were established within the framework of the well-known and publicly declared Abraham Accords. These relations are not based on secrecy or clandestine arrangements.” — UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- “seems like a diplomatic blunder because it embarrasses the UAE.” — Natan Sachs, Middle East Institute
- “The Emiratis were very angry. This is not the first time such a leak has come out of the prime minister's office, and that is exactly why Netanyahu has bene excluded and has not been able to visit there for years,” — source quoted by i24
- “Bibi came here because he wanted to show that he does not abandon his allies,” — Emirati official quoted by Israel Hayom
- “historic breakthrough” — Netanyahu’s office description of the visit
