The UAE and Israel discuss strengthening relations and regional issues

The statement said: “The visit focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and confronting regional challenges.”

According to the statement, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Sarah, in addition to the head of the Israeli National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, the director of the Israeli intelligence service, “Mossad,” Roman Hoffman, the Military Secretary, Guy Marchesino, and Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor, Ofir Falk.

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WAM: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed received Netanyahu and discussed with him the development of relations between the UAE and Israel

Netanyahu's office also commented on a previous report by the Associated Press regarding the visit, adding: "Fake news. The visit focused exclusively on strengthening relations between the two countries and discussing regional issues."

The Associated Press quoted what it described as a person with knowledge of the matter, saying that the discussions focused on a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz at the beginning of this month, which stated that the Emirati president warned Netanyahu about an imminent Hamas attack before it occurred on October 7, 2023, which led to the outbreak of war.

According to what was stated by “the person who reported that he had direct information about the meeting,” Netanyahu asked Bin Zayed to deny the report. Netanyahu's office had previously denied the Haaretz report.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to comment on reports about the meeting. But it previously said that it maintains “open and direct lines of communication with Israel,” and that they exchange “all relevant intelligence information.”