A sharp diplomatic dispute erupted on Thursday after the Israeli Prime Minister's office claimed Benjamin Netanyahu had secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, only for Abu Dhabi to issue an unusually blunt denial within hours.
The incident exposed a rare public rift between the two Abraham Accords partners.
"In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed," said the Israeli Prime Minister's office on X.
A follow-up post added that "this visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE."
Prime Minister's Office Statement:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2026
In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
The announcement came amid heightened regional tensions following months of conflict between Israel and Iran, during which both countries have sought to consolidate strategic alliances across the Middle East.
Threatening the UAE, Iran says it knew of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ostensible visit to Abu Dhabi at the height of the now-suspended US-Israeli campaign against Tehran.
"Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran's security services long ago conveyed to our leadership," writes Abbas Araghchi on X, without explaining why Iran didn't go public weeks ago with the intelligence he claims it had.
"Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble," continues Araghchi. "Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable."
"Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.
The UAE, however, moved swiftly to shut down the narrative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement categorically rejecting the Israeli account, saying the country "denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country."
Abu Dhabi went further, appearing to rebuke the manner in which the claim was made. The ministry stressed that its relations with Israel "are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements."
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It added that "any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE."
الإمارات تنفي ما يتم تداوله بشأن زيارة رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أو استقبال وفد عسكري إسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/rl5XSzX2RG
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 13, 2026
The UAE concluded its statement with a pointed call for media responsibility, urging outlets "to exercise accuracy and professionalism, and to refrain from circulating unverified information or promoting misleading political narratives."
Israeli officials had not responded to the UAE's denial yet.
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