A Short Visit and a Long Debate: Netanyahu and the UAE

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Abu Dhabi in late September 2026 for a short, unannounced visit. He was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and they spent around an hour discussing bilateral relations and ways to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties. The trip took place a month before Israeli elections and was widely noted at home.

The visit followed claims made this month that the Emirati president warned Mr. Netanyahu about a planned Hamas operation days before the October 7, 2023 attack. Although details remain contested, the claim has shaped public debate and it has been raised in the election campaign. The UAE has emphasized that it does not routinely comment on media stories about private conversations between leaders.

The dispute has been used by political opponents during the campaign and has focused public attention on intelligence and communications before October 7. Voters have been urged to consider competence and accountability when they choose representatives. Some officials have denied parts of the account, while other commentators have called for investigations of pre-attack intelligence. The issue will likely stay in public view until the vote.