Israel and the Emirates have maintained normal relations for more than a year. Now, with Bennett, a head of government from the Jewish state is visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time.
For the first time in history, an Israeli head of government has officially visited the United Arab Emirates. Naftali Bennett (Yamina) landed in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. He was greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed. On Monday morning, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed received him at his private palace.
Before departing, Bennett said the visit focused on expanding cooperation in several areas, including trade. "In just one year since the normalization of our relationship, we have already seen the extraordinary potential of the Israeli-Emirati partnership." Upon arrival in the Emirates, he thanked Foreign Minister Bin Zayed for the "great welcome.".
Basis for cooperation
The Israeli government announced the visit just hours before departure. According to the Israeli news site "Times of Israel," a small government delegation was on board. Journalists were not present due to concerns about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
In an interview with the Emirati News Agency (WAM), Bennett emphasized that the Abraham Accords had created a "new, deep, and solid structure for diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations." Cooperation is already underway in all possible areas; health and food security will play a major role in the future. According to WAM, Israel and the UAE have now concluded more than 60 strategic agreements, including those for space projects.
The Emirates understand these relations within the context of their “Principles of the 50”—a plan for the next 50 years, launched to mark the 50th anniversary. The plan consists of ten guiding principles. The fifth states that good neighborly relations are the basis for stability and security. “Developing stable and positive political, economic, and social relations is one of the top priorities of the country’s foreign policy.”
