Netanyahu secretly visits UAE amid controversy over October 7 warnings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE on September 27, 2026, to meet with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sources state Netanyahu asked the Emirati leader to deny reports that the UAE warned Israel of a major Hamas attack shortly before October 7, 2023. Netanyahu denies making this request. The meeting, which also focused on security cooperation against Iran, comes amid intense political pressure on Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election.

Details of the secret UAE Visit

• ▪The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United Arab Emirates state news agency WAM confirmed Netanyahu's visit to the UAE on Monday, 28 September 2026, stating it focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional challenges
• ▪Israeli media reported that representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Libya, Qatar, and Morocco were also present at Netanyahu's meeting with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed, which was reportedly arranged by Mossad chief Roman Goffman
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, 27 September 2026, to meet with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was accompanied on his 27 September 2026 trip to the United Arab Emirates by his wife Sara, the head of the Mossad, the head of the National Security Council, and other top security officials

Warnings prior to October 7

• ▪United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a major Hamas operation about a week and a half before the October 7, 2023 attack, according to reports by Haaretz and The New York Times
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not brief the heads of the Israeli security establishment about the October 7, 2023 warning conversation with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• ▪Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days before October 7, 2023, to warn of an impending assault from Gaza, following two earlier unheeded Egyptian warnings in June and September 2023

Denials and responses to warning reports

• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that he asked United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to refute the Haaretz report published in September 2026 regarding the pre-October 7 warnings
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during their meeting on 27 September 2026 to deny reports that the Emirati leader had warned him of an impending Hamas attack before October 7, 2023

Debatable claims

• ▪The timing of the pre-October 7 warning revelations constitutes illegitimate election interference
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of pre-October 7 intelligence warnings constitutes a dereliction of duty
• ▪Benjamin Netanyahu's secret UAE visit was an abuse of diplomatic channels for political gain
• ▪Israel should prosecute media outlets that report on active prime ministerial flights