Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, April 21, 2026. (Credit: AFP)
Why did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu risk embarrassing the United Arab Emirates by revealing a visit that they had every interest in keeping secret?On the evening of May 13, Netanyahu’s office surprisingly announced in a brief statement that “in the midst” of the U.S.-Israel military war against Iran, the prime minister discreetly visited the UAE to meet President Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ), without providing any further details.The reaction of Abu Dhabi, a key actor in the region in normalizing relations with Israel, was even more striking. “Any claims regarding unannounced visits or disclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE,” the Emirati Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Zooming out Will war resume in Iran? ‘Active partner in the...
Why did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu risk embarrassing the United Arab Emirates by revealing a visit that they had every interest in keeping secret?On the evening of May 13, Netanyahu’s office surprisingly announced in a brief statement that “in the midst” of the U.S.-Israel military war against Iran, the prime minister discreetly visited the UAE to meet President Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ), without providing any further details.The reaction of Abu Dhabi, a key actor in the region in normalizing relations with Israel, was even more striking. “Any claims regarding unannounced visits or disclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE,” the Emirati Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Zooming out Will war resume in Iran? ‘Active partner in...
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