UAE Denies Netanyahu Visit as Israel Confirms Mossad Chief Traveled to Emirates During Iran War

The United Arab Emirates on May 13, 2026 denied Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the country, directly contradicting claims from Netanyahu's office that he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Israel's bombing campaign against Iran. While the UAE insists its relations with Israel are public and governed by the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020, reports confirm Mossad's chief visited the Emirates at least twice to coordinate war efforts. The dispute emerges amid deepening Israeli-UAE security cooperation, including Israel's deployment of Iron Dome batteries to the UAE after Iran attacked the country on May 5, 2026, following the US-Israel bombing campaign that began in late February. Netanyahu has been evading an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza since November 2024.

Netanyahu visit denial

• ▪The UAE stated that any claims regarding undisclosed visits or arrangements are baseless unless issued by relevant official authorities in the UAE
• ▪The United Arab Emirates denied that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during the US-Israel war on Iran
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu's office described the claimed meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a historic breakthrough in ties between Israel and the UAE
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed on May 13, 2026 that Netanyahu held a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a secret visit in the midst of the bombing campaign against Iran
• ▪The UAE stated on May 13, 2026 that its relations with Israel are public and were established within the framework of the Abraham Accords

Abraham Accords relations

• ▪The Abraham Accords are a US-brokered agreement that normalized ties between Israel and several Arab states
• ▪The Abraham Accords were presented as requiring Israel to suspend plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley
• ▪The Abraham Accords were signed in Washington, DC on September 15, 2020 by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Benjamin Netanyahu

Iran war context

• ▪Iran attacked the UAE on May 5, 2026
• ▪The US and Israel began bombing Iran in late February 2026
• ▪Iran launched missile and drone attacks on the UAE and other Arab countries after the US and Israel began bombing Iran
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu has been evading an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court over war crimes charges in Gaza since November 2024
• ▪A fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US has been in place since April 8, 2026
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity with the UAE and support for measures taken to protect the UAE's security and stability after Iranian attacks on May 5, 2026

Israel-UAE security cooperation

• ▪Cooperation between Israel and the UAE appears to be expanding, particularly on security issues linked to Iran
• ▪US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Israel deployed Iron Dome air defence batteries to the UAE
• ▪Israel deployed Iron Dome air defence batteries and personnel to the UAE to help counter potential Iranian attacks
• ▪The article headline states that Israel confirmed Mossad Chief traveled to the Emirates during the Iran war

Perspective of United Arab Emirates

• ▪The UAE emphasizes that its relations with Israel are conducted publicly within the framework established by the Abraham Accords signed in 2020
• ▪The United Arab Emirates asserts that any claims regarding undisclosed visits or arrangements lack credibility unless confirmed by relevant official UAE authorities