UAE confirms president met with Israel's PM Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday

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1. 2h ago

   UAE and Israel Confirm Netanyahu's Secret Visit to Abu Dhabi

   Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The visit focused on bilateral ties and regional challenges, specifically the threat of Iran's nuclear program. While some reports describe the meeting as lasting six hours, others specify an hourlong session. The visit follows an Israeli media report claiming the UAE warned Netanyahu of the 2023 Hamas-led attack, a claim Netanyahu's office denies requesting the UAE to suppress. Iran has warned the UAE of "highly dangerous consequences" for hosting the Israeli leader.

   Why it matters

   The meeting occurs as Netanyahu faces domestic turmoil before October's Knesset elections and regional scrutiny over the Gaza war. It follows Netanyahu's recent speech at the UN General Assembly in New York. The interaction highlights the persistence of Israel-UAE ties despite broader regional tensions.

   What is confirmed

   • The UAE and Israel confirmed Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday to meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
   • Netanyahu shared intelligence with the UAE president indicating that Iran is renewing its nuclear program.
   • Iran warned the UAE of "highly dangerous consequences" following the visit.
   • The meeting took place amid domestic political turmoil for Netanyahu ahead of October Knesset elections.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Benjamin Netanyahu met with Libya's Haftar in Abu Dhabi.
   • Netanyahu met with a Saudi representative during his trip to the UAE.
   • The meeting between Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed lasted six hours.
   • The meeting between Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed lasted one hour.

   What to watch next

   • Official statements from the UAE regarding the alleged 2023 Hamas attack warning.
   • Further diplomatic reactions from Iran or other regional powers.
   • Outcome of the October Knesset elections in Israel.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. CNN — Israel’s Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE on Sunday, source says
   2. AP News — Netanyahu meets Emirati leader in a secret weekend trip to Abu Dhabi, and other Mideast developments
   3. Al Jazeera — UAE confirms Israel PM Netanyahu’s visit to Abu Dhabi
   4. The New York Times — Netanyahu Visits Emirati Leader After Reports on Warning About Hamas Attack
   5. jpost.com — Flight data suggests Benjamin Netanyahu, Libya's Haftar met in Abu Dhabi
   6. Euronews.com — UAE confirms president met with Israel's PM Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday
   7. The Times of Israel — Iran warns UAE of ‘highly dangerous consequences’ after it hosts Netanyahu
   8. www.aol.com — Netanyahu meets Emirati leader in a secret weekend trip to Abu Dhabi, and other Mideast developments
   9. The Times of Israel — Saudi official denies Israeli report claiming Netanyahu met with Saudi representative while in UAE
   10. al-monitor.com — Inside Netanyahu’s relentless push for meeting with UAE’s MBZ
   11. The Jerusalem Post — Israeli intelligence shows Iran renewing nuclear program, Benjamin Netanyahu tells MBZ
   12. The Times of Israel — Report: PM shared intel on Iran nuclear progress during Abu Dhabi meeting with Emirati leader
   confidence 90%