The UAE–Israel relationship was built on the rapid normalization and deep cooperation that began with the 2020 Abraham Accords. The agreement established full diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, opened embassies, introduced visa-free travel, and launched direct flights. The UAE became the third Arab country, after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), to normalize relations with Israel.

After the Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement, trade exploded. It began with a 510% increase in 2021, reached approximately $2.9–3 billion in 2023, and rose to around $3.2 billion in 2024.

In 2022/2023, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed, with the goal of reaching $10 billion in trade volume within five years. Investments exceeded $5 billion. In tourism, millions of Israelis visited the UAE. There has been intensive cooperation in areas such as technology, defense, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, water, agriculture, and healthcare.

The UAE became Israel’s most important trade partner in the region.

Security and defense cooperation has also stood out, particularly intelligence sharing against the Iranian threat, cybersecurity cooperation, and air defense systems (for example, the SPYDER system purchased from Israel). Joint military exercises and regional integration efforts through CENTCOM also became prominent.

After October 7, 2023, and the Gaza war, relations went through a serious stress test, but the basic structure of the relationship — trade, defense, and flights — was largely preserved. The UAE condemned the Hamas attacks and became one of the few countries that continued flights with Israel. It also sent humanitarian aid to Gaza, established a field hospital, and condemned the deaths of civilians.

Over time, however, public diplomacy and high-profile activities between the UAE and Israel began to slow down. Business meetings became more discreet. The UAE declared the annexation of the West Bank a “red line” and continued to support a two-state solution. Despite this, trade continued growing in 2024, showing that strategic and economic interests outweighed political tensions.

In short, UAE–Israel relations were built on a pragmatic foundation based on the “shared Iranian threat,” technology and defense cooperation, and economic opportunities. Although the Gaza war created cold winds in public opinion and diplomacy, the ties did not break and even showed resilience in some areas such as trade and logistics. While the UAE maintained its critical stance on the Palestinian issue, it continued to prioritize its strategic partnership. However, in recent weeks, the relationship appears to have entered a serious period of distrust and questioning.

On May 12, 2026, according to reports in the Israeli press, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee spoke at a meeting at Tel Aviv University and said, “We are currently in a ceasefire process, and we do not know where this will lead.”

Continuing his remarks, Huckabee turned to the Gulf countries and stated: “The Gulf states have now realized that they must make a choice: Are they more likely to be attacked by Iran, or by Israel?” Using a diplomatically threatening tone, Huckabee suggested that the Gulf states must choose sides between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, asking: “Which side do you want to be on?”

Referring to the UAE as a member of the Abraham Accords, Huckabee added: “But look at the benefits they received from it. Israel sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.”

According to Israel Hayom newspaper, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also stated during a meeting organized by Israel’s UN mission in New York that Israel had sent Iron Dome air defense systems to the UAE during the war that began with attacks on Iran.

Israel is trying to “control the UAE from within” under the excuse of protecting it from attacks!

A report dated April 26, 2026, by the US-based Axios platform — which frequently publishes operational stories tied to US and Israeli........

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