UAE admits Netanyahu made unannounced visit for talks with MBZ

The United Arab Emirates confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi and met President Mohammed bin Zayed, a day after Israeli media revealed the previously secret trip.

The UAE's official WAM news agency confirmed the visit late on Monday, saying Mohammed bin Zayed had received Netanyahu during his trip to the country on Sunday.

The two leaders discussed relations between the UAE and Israel and "ways to strengthen and develop them", according to WAM.

Netanyahu's office also confirmed the visit, saying the talks focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and regional challenges.

The acknowledgement came after Israeli media reported on Sunday that Netanyahu had secretly travelled to Abu Dhabi, met Mohammed bin Zayed and returned to Israel the same day.

The visit comes less than a month before Israel's 27 October parliamentary election and amid controversy over reports that Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu shortly before the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack that a major operation could be imminent.

Haaretz reported earlier this month that Mohammed bin Zayed spoke to Netanyahu roughly 10 days before the attack and warned him that then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a "huge surprise".

The newspaper reported that the UAE had previously passed a warning to Israel's Shin Bet security agency.

Netanyahu’s office has denied that he had received such a warning. Netanyahu has also threatened legal action against Haaretz, accusing the newspaper of publishing a "fabricated" and "politically motivated" report.

The UAE subsequently said security matters with other countries are handled through the relevant agencies and that details of this kind are not discussed at the level of national leaders.

Meeting reportedly held at airport

Haaretz, citing Emirati sources, reported on Monday that Sunday's meeting took place at the airport and that Netanyahu asked Mohammed bin Zayed to deny reports concerning their alleged pre-7 October phone call.

According to the newspaper, Netanyahu also asked the Emirati president to deny other details relating to 7 October that could cause him political embarrassment and sought what was described as "moral support".

Israeli newspaper Maariv separately reported that Netanyahu had exerted considerable pressure on the UAE to arrange a visit before the election.

Emirati sources cited by the newspaper described the pressure as "very heavy", reportedly involving telephone calls, approaches through associates and international intermediaries, and references to future security cooperation.

Another visit had been fully arranged several days earlier, according to Maariv, but was cancelled shortly before Netanyahu was due to depart.

The Emirati side reportedly told Israel that Mohammed bin Zayed was not in the country, although subsequent checks indicated that the UAE president was in Abu Dhabi at the time.

A source cited by Maariv said Mohammed bin Zayed did not want to become part of Netanyahu's election campaign.

Despite the cancellation, Israeli efforts to secure the meeting continued, culminating in Sunday's visit.

Israel's Channel 12 was among the first outlets to disclose the trip. Israel's Shin Bet subsequently filed a complaint with the country's military censor over the report, arguing that its publication endangered Netanyahu and exposed the security agency’s operational methods, according to the Associated Press.

Netanyahu's visit comes as Israel and the UAE maintain diplomatic relations established under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.

The latest meeting was held around six months after Netanyahu's office claimed he had made another secret visit to the UAE during the war with Iran. Abu Dhabi publicly denied that visit at the time, saying reports of unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements were unfounded unless officially announced by Emirati authorities.