Reports: Netanyahu held secret meeting with UAE president in Abu Dhabi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a secret meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates during a previously undisclosed visit to Abu Dhabi, according to media reports.

The reports, which have not been independently confirmed, describe the meeting as taking place away from public view, with no official announcement from either government beforehand. Details about the exact date of the visit and the substance of the discussions have not been made public.

No immediate UAE response

The UAE government did not immediately comment on the claim, leaving key aspects of the reported visit unverified. Officials in Abu Dhabi have not confirmed or denied that the meeting took place.

The UAE established formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the so-called Abraham Accords, becoming one of a handful of Arab states to do so. Since then, the two countries have maintained diplomatic, economic and security ties, even as the relationship has periodically come under strain over developments in the wider region.

A reported secret visit, if confirmed, would suggest continued high-level contact between Israeli and Emirati officials, even where such contact is not publicly disclosed at the time. Observers have previously noted that Gulf states have sought to balance public statements on regional conflicts with continued behind-the-scenes engagement with Israel.

Neither the Israeli prime minister's office nor Emirati officials have issued a formal statement addressing the report. Further details about the visit, including its purpose and timing, remain unclear pending any official confirmation from either side.