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Saudi Arabia Denies Participation in Abu Dhabi Meeting Between Israel and UAE
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Saudi Denial of Participation in Abu Dhabi Meeting
A Saudi official told AFP that the kingdom had no involvement in a meeting held on Sunday in Abu Dhabi that brought together Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This denial directly contradicts Israeli media reports that said Saudi representatives attended an expanded session that discussed security cooperation, Iran, Yemen’s Houthis and regional defence systems.
Context of Israel-UAE Relations
The United Arab Emirates is a close U.S. ally and one of the few Arab states that have formal diplomatic ties with Israel following the Abraham Accords signed in 2020 during the Trump administration. While the UAE has moved toward open cooperation with Israel, Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that it will not normalise relations with Israel without a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Official Statements & Responses
The Saudi official’s remarks to AFP reaffirm the kingdom’s public position that it has not altered its policy toward Israel. Israeli media outlets, however, have suggested that the Abu Dhabi gathering represented a broader regional dialogue that could signal shifting alliances. No other governments have commented on the alleged Saudi presence.
Implications for Regional Diplomacy
The denial underscores the delicate balance Saudi Arabia seeks to strike between its strategic interests and its stated support for Palestinian aspirations. Saudi officials signal that any future engagement with Israel will likely remain contingent on progress toward a Palestinian solution. The episode also highlights the divergent trajectories of the UAE, which is deepening ties with Israel, and Saudi Arabia, which continues to adopt a more cautious approach despite shared concerns over Iran and regional security challenges.
