The Motive Behind the Meeting of Netanyahu, MBZ, and Arab Envoys
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ABU DHABI — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Abu Dhabi reportedly involved more than just representatives from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Officials from several other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, were said to have attended the meeting, according to Israeli media.
Channel 1lag reported that envoys from various Arab countries participated in the discussions. The in-depth talks reportedly focused on recent developments regarding Iran and the broader dynamics of the Middle East region. Details released by Israeli media provide a clearer picture of the proceedings and the movements surrounding Netanyahu’s visit.
According to reports from the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, accompanied her husband during his stay in Abu Dhabi. The departure was originally scheduled for the previous week—ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to the United Nations (UN)—but was cancelled at the last minute after the UAE stated that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was out of the country.
Flight tracking data cited in the report recorded specific details of aircraft movements. Netanyahu’s aircraft, M-ULTI, crossed the airspace of Jordan and Saudi Arabia before landing in Abu Dhabi at 12:13 UTC. At the same time, aircraft connected to Libya, Morocco, and Qatar also arrived in the region, while a UAE aircraft, coded A6-FAM, landed from Riyadh at 12:10 UTC.
Various Reports
Netanyahu departed for Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met directly with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, citing two sources familiar with the agenda. Netanyahu flew to the UAE using a private jet in the morning and remained there throughout the day. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to provide official details regarding the meeting’s agenda.
Further reports from the Associated Press (AP) detailed that during the meeting, Netanyahu requested bin Zayed to refute reports concerning early warnings from the UAE regarding the operations of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, in October 2023.
Meanwhile, the Israeli media outlet i24 News presented a different version, reporting that Netanyahu’s six-hour visit to the UAE focused on the issue of Iran. AP added that Netanyahu’s meeting with the UAE President on Sunday lasted approximately one hour and also addressed the findings of an investigation by the Israeli media outlet, Haaretz.