Netanyahu's UAE visit highlights Arab leaders' dangerous gamble with Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has highlighted the precarious position Arab leaders find themselves in when engaging with Israel amid the ongoing Gaza genocide. The trip comes as public anger grows over repression, corruption, and economic hardship in Israel, with a billboard in Tel Aviv urging a new "Abraham Covenant."

Reports suggest that Netanyahu reached out to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed for support shortly before the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, following warnings from other Arab nations like Egypt and Morocco. Despite this, Netanyahu has downplayed the significance of the meeting, dismissing reports as "fake news."

The expanded session in Abu Dhabi, attended by officials from countries with no prior ties to Israel, focused on regional cooperation against Iran. The visit underscores a troubling trend: Arab governments continue to maintain business-as-usual relations with Israel, even as Israel commits atrocities in the Palestinian territories and beyond.

While Arab nations may condemn Israeli war crimes and aid Palestinians, they remain largely indifferent to Israel's expansionist policies. This dangerous game could enable Israeli aggression, as Netanyahu has tried to frame the Gaza genocide as part of a broader Arab fight against terrorism. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, have seen continued expansion, with the UAE, Morocco, and Egypt maintaining or deepening ties despite Israel's brutal actions.