Netanyahu sparked diplomatic row with Arab ally to outflank political rival – report

Prime Minister Netanyahu denies reports he revealed historic visit to United Arab Emirates in order to outflank his election opponent, former PM Naftali Bennett.

By World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday denied claims that the prime minister revealed his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates in order to score political points against his opponent in the upcoming Knesset election, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

On Sunday, Channel 12 published a report citing two unnamed sources who claimed that the prime minister’s decision last Wednesday to publicize his recent visit to the UAE during the war with Iran was motivated by political considerations.

The revelation, which was publicly denied by Abu Dhabi and sparked a diplomatic row with the UAE, also disclosed the UAE government’s alleged contact with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said Wednesday that he had traveled to the UAE during the US-Israeli war with Iran and met Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, describing the alleged meeting as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between the two countries.

The UAE quickly denied the claim. Its Foreign Ministry said relations with Israel are conducted through the public framework of the Abraham Accords and are “not based on secrecy or clandestine arrangements.”

According to Sunday’s report, Emirati officials had specifically asked Israel to keep the meeting confidential and were angered by Netanyahu’s decision to reveal it.

The report also claimed Netanyahu made the announcement after learning that Bennett was due to travel to the UAE the next day for meetings with Sheikh Mohammed and other senior officials.

According to two sources familiar with the matter cited by Channel 12, Netanyahu feared Bennett’s visit would become public while his own alleged wartime meeting remained secret, creating the impression that Abu Dhabi was willing to receive Bennett openly while keeping the sitting prime minister out of sight.

While Netanyahu’s office flatly denied the Channel 12 report, Bennett’s office declined to comment, and it was not immediately clear whether Bennett’s planned trip ever took place.