For the first time since the normalization of relations between the two countries last year, an Israeli prime minister is visiting the United Arab Emirates.
Tel Aviv hopes that relations between the two countries will become closer with the visit of Naftali Bennett on Sunday.
During his visit, Bennett will hold talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the de facto ruler of the Gulf state, Reuters reported, citing the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The visit comes at a time when six world powers, including the United States, are trying to revive the Iran nuclear deal.
In recent years, Iran and its allies in the Middle East have been concerned about the growing influence of Iran and the United States.
The UAE has recently been seen taking steps to improve relations with neighboring Iran; Last Monday, they also sent a top government official to the country.
“Today I am going to the United Arab Emirates, the first visit of an Israeli prime minister there,” Bennett told cabinet members on Sunday.
However, there was no official announcement from Abu Dhabi regarding the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister.
Last year, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalized relations with Israel under the US-initiated “Abraham Agreement.”
Benjamin Netanyahu signed the ‘Abraham Treaty’ on behalf of Israel; He also had plans to visit the United Arab Emirates. But due to the Covid-19 restrictions and the complexity of arranging flights over Jordanian territory, he could not go to the UAE as Israel’s first prime minister.
The meeting between Bennett and Sheikh Mohammed will focus on strengthening ties between the two countries and on various economic issues, which will contribute to the prosperity, well-being and stability of the two countries, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
