Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s Secret UAE Visit to Quash Warning Rumors
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Secret Trip and Denial Request
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled secretly to the United Arab Emirates over the weekend following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. He arrived in Abu Dhabi on a private plane, spent about four hours there, and held an hour-long meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president. According to two briefed sources, Netanyahu’s primary objective was to ask bin Zayed to publicly deny reports that the Emirati leader had warned him of an imminent Hamas assault.
Background & Context
Earlier in the month, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that bin Zayed had delivered a warning to Netanyahu about a looming Hamas attack roughly a week and a half before the October 7 massacre. Similar claims surfaced about Egypt’s former intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, suggesting multiple foreign warnings were ignored. Netanyahu’s office has repeatedly labeled the Haaretz story “fake news” and denied any such warning. The controversy emerges as Israel prepares for a legislative election scheduled for October 27, with Netanyahu seeking re-election amid criticism over the October 7 security failure.
Official Statements & Responses
- Netanyahu’s office called the Haaretz report “fake news,” filed a complaint with the IDF Military Censor against Channel 12 for revealing the trip, and described the leak as a “serious security threat.”
Criticism & Opposition
Netanyahu accused “left-wing media” of a campaign to link former Shin Bet director Ronen Bar’s alleged failures to him, arguing that critics aim to undermine his government. He also warned that Arab states and “foreign and hostile actors” seek to replace his administration with rivals Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Avigdor Liberman, who would withdraw from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank and establish a Palestinian state.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Despite this, Ronen Bar decided not to call and update the prime minister, not to alert the civilian security squads and IDF forces in the field, not to evacuate the Nova festival — and instead only to send a small [elite counterterrorist] Tequila team (which proves that he knew there was a real danger),” — Benjamin Netanyahu
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- UAE warning claim: Haaretz alleges bin Zayed warned Netanyahu; the UAE’s official statements deny involvement, and Netanyahu’s office seeks a public denial. No independent evidence has been presented to confirm either version.
- Egyptian warning claim: Netanyahu’s X post denies any contact with Abbas Kamel, while other outlets have reported that Kamel met Israeli officials shortly before October 7. The discrepancy remains unresolved.
What’s Next
The upcoming October 27 election will test Netanyahu’s handling of the warning controversy and its impact on his re-election prospects. No further scheduled meetings with UAE officials have been announced.