2 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia Denies Representative Met Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi
Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates and met its president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two leaders talked about relations between Israel and the UAE and about regional problems.
A report said representatives from Saudi Arabia and several other countries also joined a larger meeting.
Saudi Arabia said this was not true.
Jordan also denied that its officials attended.
The news organization that published the report later said it could not confirm the meeting happened.
The visit reportedly included discussions about Iran, the Houthis, security cooperation and air defence.
Iran criticized the visit and warned the UAE about possible dangerous consequences.
Netanyahu also reportedly asked Sheikh Mohamed to deny a separate report about an alleged warning before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Saudi Arabia denied that any representative attended a reported meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Ynet reported that officials from several regional countries joined an expanded meeting, then retracted the report over a lack of confirmation.
Jordan also denied that its officials attended the alleged meeting.
Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed discussed bilateral relations and regional issues during a visit that reportedly lasted six hours.
Iran warned the UAE of what it called “highly dangerous consequences” following Netanyahu’s visit.
- Who
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia and other regional governments were involved in the reports and denials.
- What
- Saudi Arabia denied that its representative met Netanyahu during his UAE visit or attended an alleged expanded regional meeting.
- Where
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- When
- Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on September 27; Saudi Arabia issued its denial on September 30.
- Why
- The reported discussions were said to concern bilateral relations, Iran, the Houthis, security cooperation and regional air defence.
Official Denials and Confirmed Accounts
Reported Regional Meeting and Iranian Criticism
Attendance at an expanded meeting
Official Denials and Confirmed Accounts
Saudi Arabia and Jordan denied that their representatives attended, while Ynet later retracted its report because it could not confirm the meeting.
Reported Regional Meeting and Iranian Criticism
Ynet initially reported that representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar and Libya attended a meeting involving Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed.
Purpose and regional implications
Official Denials and Confirmed Accounts
The UAE and Israel described the confirmed meeting as focused on bilateral relations and regional issues.
Reported Regional Meeting and Iranian Criticism
The initial report said discussions included Iran, the Houthis, security cooperation and regional air defence; Iran criticized the visit and warned of dangerous consequences.
Alleged warning before the Hamas attack
Official Denials and Confirmed Accounts
Netanyahu denied receiving a warning from Sheikh Mohamed about a looming Hamas attack before October 7, 2023, and reportedly asked the UAE president to deny the report.
Reported Regional Meeting and Iranian Criticism
A Haaretz report, cited in the article, claimed that Sheikh Mohamed had warned Netanyahu about a possible Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.
Key facts
- Saudi position
- A senior Saudi official said no Saudi representative attended the reported meeting.
- Visit date
- Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday, September 27.
- Reported meeting
- Ynet said officials from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar and Libya attended an expanded meeting.
- Retraction
- Ynet later said it could not confirm that the expanded meeting took place.
- Jordan’s position
- Jordan denied that any of its officials attended the reported meeting.
- Confirmed discussions
- The UAE said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.
- Iran’s reaction
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned the UAE of what it described as highly dangerous consequences.
Sources
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