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JERUSALEM: Israeli Naftali Bennett travels to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for the first official visit by a Jewish state prime minister since they established diplomatic relations last year.
The trip announced by Bennett’s office comes amid renewed Israeli diplomatic efforts against the resumption of international talks with its nemesis Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
Bennett met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Monday to discuss “deepening ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, in particular economic and regional issues,” he said. Prime Minister’s office.
There was no immediate comment from the UAE on the visit.
The United Arab Emirates last year became the third Arab country to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel after Egypt and Jordan.
Bahrain and Morocco then followed in a series of deals brokered by former US President Donald Trump. Sudan has also agreed to normalize its relations with Israel under the so-called Abrahamic Accords, but full relations have yet to materialize.
The deals were negotiated by Bennett’s predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they would offer Israel new regional allies against Iran and step up diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Turkey to seek to thaw Egypt, Israel after UAE talks
Iran and world powers have resumed negotiations on the frayed 2015 nuclear deal that offered Iran sanctions relief in return for restrictions on its nuclear program, which Tehran says is civilian in nature.
Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal in 2018 and stepped up sanctions against Iran.
Talks in Vienna are now aimed at bringing the United States back into the deal and bringing Iran back to full compliance with its commitments.
Bennett called for an end to the Vienna talks, accusing Tehran of “nuclear blackmail” and accusing it will use any income from sanctions relief to bolster a military arsenal that can harm Israel.
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visited Tehran earlier this month, where he met with Iranian ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi.
The trip was the first of its kind since relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2016.
Bennett’s visit to Abu Dhabi follows a trip to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who has repeatedly stressed that military options must be ready if negotiations with Iran fail.
US steps up sanctions against Iran as nuclear talks stall
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid was also in London and Paris last month, where he called for tougher sanctions against Tehran.
Since the signing of the Abrahamic Agreements, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have signed a series of agreements on economic and trade cooperation.
In November, Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems started a new business in the United Arab Emirates, after UAE and Israeli air force commanders visited each other.
Abraham’s accords were strongly condemned by the Palestinians as they broke decades of Arab League consensus against recognition of Israel until he signed a peace establishing a Palestinian state with a capital in Jerusalem. -East.
While Bennett is the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit the United Arab Emirates, Lapid made a historic visit there in June, opening an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai, while the United Arab Emirates established an embassy in Tel Aviv.
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