The traditionally low-profile relationship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has come into public focus this week, highlighting underlying sensitivities as the Iran war continues to affect the wider region.
The issue surfaced after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel had deployed Iron Dome air-defense systems and personnel to the UAE to help defend against potential Iranian attacks, signaling deepening security cooperation.
The situation drew further attention when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that he had quietly visited the UAE during the conflict. His remarks were quickly rejected by the Gulf state, prompting a formal denial.
As Netanyahu and the Trump administration ballyhoo their alliances as part of an effort to bolster the region’s anti-Iran factions, the Gulf states prefer to downplay these partnerships — a sign of how public ties to Israel remain deeply controversial in the region.
Why would the UAE deny Netanyahu’s visit?
Netanyahu’s revelation about his reported visit to Abu Dhabi stirred controversy, especially following confirmation of military coordination between the দুই দেশ. Reports also suggested that Israeli security officials had visited the UAE.
The UAE’s official WAM news agency dismissed “reports circulating” about the visit, stating that ties with Israel “are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements.”
The agency also denied that any Israeli military delegation had been hosted.
“It complicates Abu Dhabi’s wartime-frame posture by forcing it into the open — which is why the denial was issued so quickly and worded so carefully,” said Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi Arabia-based scholar at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.
Although the UAE normalized relations with Israel in 2020, its leadership has preferred to maintain a degree of discretion regarding the partnership.
Public sentiment toward Israel remains largely negative across Arab and Muslim countries, a situation that has worsened following the Gaza war. The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has devastated the territory and killed more than 72,700 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.
The conflict has also spread regionally, with Israel targeting Iran-backed groups in Lebanon and Yemen and conducting strikes in Syria and Qatar.
“We are the ugly duckling of the Middle East,” said Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.
Diker said regional officials he has engaged with under the Abraham Accords have consistently preferred to keep cooperation away from public attention.
What is the Israel-UAE alliance based on?
Israel and the UAE have expanded military cooperation during the Iran war. Israel benefits from a strategic foothold closer to Iran, while the UAE gains access to advanced Israeli defense technology, including the Iron Dome system.
Economic ties have also strengthened, with bilateral trade increasing steadily since the normalization of relations in 2020.
For Israel, partnerships with Arab states help reduce its regional isolation and enhance its legitimacy. For the UAE, the relationship strengthens its influence in Washington.
The UAE became the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Why did Netanyahu publicize his visit?
Netanyahu is facing strong domestic opposition ahead of elections and is seeking to reinforce his image as a key regional player.
The Iran war has not significantly boosted his popularity, but showcasing closer ties with Arab nations could strengthen his standing and improve relations with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Israel is also in discussions with Azerbaijan about joining the Abraham Accords, as it seeks to expand normalization efforts.
However, analysts caution that publicizing such ties may not produce the intended effect. Regional heavyweights like Saudi Arabia have taken a more cautious approach during the conflict.
Saudi Arabia has maintained communication with Iran and supported diplomatic mediation efforts, rather than aligning openly with Israel.
“The aim is not to take a posture on Israel, per se. It is to refuse entanglement in a war whose dynamics Riyadh did not set and cannot control,” Alghannam said.
“Riyadh discussing the full range of options openly, with partners, without locking into one track, is itself a strategic signal,” he said. “The regional security architecture will be designed regionally, not inherited from whatever Washington and Tehran negotiate bilaterally.”