Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir and senior officers reportedly made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid the recent conflict with Iran, as per Israel’s Kan TV News. During the visit, Zamir met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other high-ranking security officials.
The exact date of the visit during the war, which began on February 28 and ended with a ceasefire on April 8, was not disclosed by the channel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also confirmed his clandestine trip to the UAE during the conflict, where he met with the UAE President.
Despite media reports, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied Netanyahu’s visit to the country. It was previously reported that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency chief, David Barnea, and Shin Bet head, David Zini, also visited the UAE secretly during the war.
The visits by Israeli officials to the UAE signify a deepening of relations between the two countries. The UAE has become a significant regional partner for Israel in recent years following the normalization agreements under the Abraham Accords, leading to increased trade, technology collaboration, tourism, and intelligence-sharing.
Political analysts suggest that the discussions during these visits may have focused on security cooperation, regional stability, economic ties, and the changing geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s undisclosed trip indicates a potential shift towards more substantial diplomatic engagements beyond the usual norms.
This development is considered a sensitive diplomatic move by Netanyahu, especially amidst the evolving alliances, security challenges, and renewed diplomatic activities in the Middle East.
