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Netanyahu’s Secret UAE Visit Raises October 7 Questions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Reports say the meeting included discussion of a claim about warnings before Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
The claim says Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu that Hamas was planning a very large surprise.
Netanyahu’s office has denied that report, and the UAE has not confirmed the alleged conversation.
The UAE and Israel publicly said they discussed their relationship and regional problems.
Another Israeli source said the war involving Iran was a major subject.
Israel and the UAE have worked more closely on security issues in recent years.
The meeting is politically sensitive because Israelis are still asking what leaders knew before the October 7 attack.
Israeli authorities also accused Channel 12 of violating censorship rules by reporting on the trip.
Benjamin Netanyahu secretly met United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday, according to officials briefed on the trip.
Reports say Netanyahu asked Sheikh Mohamed to deny claims that he warned Israel about a major Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.
Israel’s prime minister’s office said the meeting focused on bilateral ties and regional challenges, while an Israeli source said Iran dominated the talks.
The UAE confirmed the visit and said the leaders discussed strengthening relations, but did not address the alleged October 7 warning.
The meeting occurred amid Israel’s domestic controversy over pre-attack intelligence and heightened regional tensions involving Iran.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met, with senior Israeli officials accompanying Netanyahu.
- What
- They held a secret meeting involving Israel-UAE relations, regional security, Iran, and reports of an alleged warning before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
- Where
- The meeting took place in the United Arab Emirates.
- When
- The meeting took place on Sunday during a secret weekend visit; the reports emerged amid controversy before Israel’s October 27 election.
- Why
- According to public statements, the leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and regional challenges; reports also say Netanyahu sought a denial of the alleged pre-attack warning.
Reports and alleged warning
Official accounts and denials
Whether the UAE warned Netanyahu
Reports and alleged warning
Haaretz reported that Sheikh Mohamed warned Netanyahu roughly 10 days before October 7 that then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a “huge surprise.”
Official accounts and denials
Netanyahu’s office denied the report, while the UAE has not publicly confirmed that the alleged conversation occurred.
Main purpose of the meeting
Reports and alleged warning
Reports and an Israeli source familiar with the visit suggest the talks addressed the alleged warning and were dominated by Iran-related security concerns.
Official accounts and denials
Israel and the UAE publicly described the meeting as focused on bilateral relations, regional challenges, and strengthening cooperation.
Publication of the visit report
Reports and alleged warning
Channel 12 reported on the secret visit, bringing the meeting and the October 7 controversy into public view.
Official accounts and denials
Shin Bet filed a complaint with Israel’s chief military censor, saying the report seriously violated censorship rules and endangered the prime minister, the operation, and forces on the ground.
Key facts
- Israeli leader
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Emirati leader
- Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates
- Reported purpose
- Netanyahu allegedly asked Sheikh Mohamed to deny claims that he warned Israel about a looming Hamas attack.
- Publicly stated agenda
- The UAE said the leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them; Israel cited relations and regional challenges.
- Other reported focus
- An Israeli source said the meeting was dominated by Iran and the ongoing regional war.
- October 7 casualties cited
- The article says at least 1,195 people were killed in southern Israel and about 250 were taken captive during the Hamas attack.
- Gaza casualties cited
- The article says at least 73,669 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing war, citing human rights bodies.
Quotes
UAE Foreign Ministry
The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry, commenting on intelligence-sharing claims related to the reported warning.
“When necessary, all relevant intelligence has been and continues to be communicated between the relevant entities.”
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Sources
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