SECRET MISSION: Netanyahu Flew to Abu Dhabi for Unannounced Meeting With UAE President
Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu made a secret trip to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, flying aboard a private aircraft for an unannounced meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Israeli media reports.
The trip was first reported by Channel 12, which cited two sources familiar with the visit. The Jerusalem Post subsequently reported that a diplomatic source independently confirmed that Netanyahu traveled to the UAE and met with the Emirati leader.
According to additional details reported Sunday night, Netanyahu departed Israel shortly after noon and arrived in Abu Dhabi at approximately 3:10 p.m. He reportedly remained in the UAE for about four hours before departing for Israel.
The purpose and substance of Netanyahu’s talks with bin Zayed were not immediately disclosed. The Prime Minister’s Office did not provide details about the meeting or publicly comment on what the two leaders discussed.
The highly unusual, closely guarded visit comes at a sensitive moment, amid renewed controversy in Israel over reports concerning communications between the UAE and Netanyahu ahead of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack.
Recent reports have alleged that bin Zayed contacted Netanyahu in September 2023 and raised concerns about the possibility of a major Hamas attack. Netanyahu’s office has disputed claims that the Emirati president provided him with an advance warning of the October 7 assault.
Sunday’s meeting therefore drew particular attention because of its timing, although there was no confirmation that the controversy over the alleged pre-October 7 communications was discussed during Netanyahu’s talks with bin Zayed.
Neither the Israeli government nor the UAE initially released an official account of the meeting, leaving the agenda of the secret Abu Dhabi talks undisclosed.
