One meeting, many messages: The significance of Netanyahu's visit to UAE, and what it means for India

The United Arab Emirates has officially confirmed hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks with President Mohammed bin Zayed on Sunday, marking its first such acknowledgement since establishing relations with Israel in 2020. The Emirates News Agency released a brief statement emphasizing that bin Zayed discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and potential avenues for strengthening and development.

No official photograph of the meeting was released, and the UAE's statement did not mention the ongoing regional conflicts, including those in occupied Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Sudan.

Sources within the UAE revealed that bin Zayed personally greeted Netanyahu at the airport upon his arrival. The meeting was prominently featured on the front pages of the UAE's state-owned newspapers, Al-Bayan and Al-Ittihad, which reproduced the official statement verbatim. In contrast, Netanyahu's office had previously disclosed that he had secretly visited the UAE during the height of the Israeli-US war on Iran.

The Emirati foreign ministry promptly denied any claims of unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements, stating that such assertions are unfounded unless officially confirmed by the UAE.

The latest meeting follows a recent report by Haaretz that bin Zayed had secretly warned Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack before October 7, 2023. According to the report, bin Zayed informed Netanyahu of the Hamas plan during a 45-minute phone call about a week and a half before the attack. The revelation comes as Netanyahu grapples with his political future, facing corruption charges in Israeli courts and potential imprisonment if convicted.

During the latest meeting, Netanyahu reportedly requested bin Zayed to deny the warning report and provide "moral" support. The visit included Netanyahu's wife, Sara, and was attended by key officials from the National Security Council, Mossad, the military secretary, and the foreign policy adviser. Other delegates reportedly present included representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Libya, Qatar, and Morocco.