Israeli Prime Minister's Historic First Visit to UAE... "We Are All Descendants of Abraham" (Comprehensive)

On the 13th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (left), who visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met and greeted Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the de facto ruler of the UAE (right), at the meeting hall. This is the first time an Israeli Prime Minister has visited the UAE, a member of the Arab League. The two sides reportedly mainly discussed responses to the recently resumed negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) during this meeting. Abu Dhabi (UAE) = AP·Yonhap News

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time in history. This is the first time an Israeli leader has visited an Arab League country since the founding of Israel. The two countries, which were formerly adversaries, are reported to have mainly discussed responses to the recently resumed negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA ? Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). It is expected that the two countries will strengthen military cooperation in preparation for a scenario where the Iran nuclear deal ultimately collapses and military tensions with Iran escalate.

On the 13th (local time), Prime Minister Bennett visited the UAE and held a two-hour private face-to-face meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who is known as the de facto ruler. Bennett’s visit was conducted secretly, with the entire schedule and meeting location kept undisclosed in advance.

According to the UAE state news agency WAM, Bennett said during the meeting, "We are all descendants of Abraham, neighbors, and the friendship between our two countries is natural," adding, "I am pleased that cooperation agreements have been signed in many fields including trade, health, cybersecurity, and aviation." Crown Prince Mohammed also reportedly responded, "I hope to contribute to cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and the region."

The Times of Israel reported, "Although the specific details of the talks were not disclosed, future response measures related to the restoration negotiations of the Iran nuclear deal were mainly discussed." In particular, Bennett’s visit took place amid discussions between Israel and the United States on plans to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if the Iran nuclear deal restoration talks fail, suggesting that military cooperation between Israel and the UAE against Iran was a key issue. Earlier last month, the Israeli military announced preparations for a large-scale airstrike drill in the Mediterranean Sea next year, simulating strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Amir Hayek, the Israeli ambassador to Abu Dhabi, also indicated the main agenda of the meeting was the Iran issue by stating at a press conference that "the Prime Minister did not come to the UAE only for the Iran issue."

Meanwhile, the two countries normalized diplomatic relations last September through the ‘Abraham Accords’ led by former U.S. President Donald Trump, and have since been strengthening cooperation to respond to Iran and Iran-backed militant groups such as Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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