<p>Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was received by Abu Dhabi&nbsp;Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed&nbsp;al-Nahyan&nbsp;at his private palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday (December 13) during his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bennett became the first Israeli prime minister to visit the UAE after diplomatic ties were established last year as part of a US-sponsored agreement known as the 'Abraham Accords'. This crucial visit is followed by Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's June visit to UAE when he inaugurated the nation's embassy in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Upon his arrival at the royal airport, the Israeli prime minister was received by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and an honour guard, Israel's office of prime minister informed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Naftali Bennett said that he appreciated the hospitality, adding that it was a splendid welcome. He also noted that he was very moved to be in the UAE, on the first official visit by an Israeli leader.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-govt-first-in-world-to-turn-100-paperless-says-crown-prince-sheikh-hamdan-436469">Dubai govt first in world to turn 100% paperless, says Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="tl">Making history in Abu Dhabi.<br />
🇮🇱🕊🇦🇪 <a href="https://t.co/Z7gZrnmP1n">pic.twitter.com/Z7gZrnmP1n</a></p>
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) <a href="https://twitter.com/naftalibennett/status/1470141457990365184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Israel's PM said that he expected to strengthen the network of relations between the two countries. Ahead of his visit, his office had informed that the leaders will discuss deepening the ties, especially the economic and regional issues.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Before starting his journey, Bennett tweeted, "I am now embarking on the first official visit ever of an Israeli Prime Minister to the United Arab Emirates. The potential inherent in the partnership between Israel and the Emirates is enormous.</p>

<p>"Together, we have a real opportunity to create a stable, prosperous and stronger Middle East. And this is just the beginning," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The visit is also significant as it came amid heightened regional tension as world powers' try to renew a nuclear deal with Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Israel has talked about setting up joint defences with Gulf Arab states that share its concern over Iranian activities. Yet UAE has recently mounted outreach to neighbouring Iran, sending a top official there last Monday.&nbsp;</p>

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan at his private palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday (December 13) during his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan at his private palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday (December 13) during his historic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bennett became the first Israeli prime minister to visit the UAE after diplomatic ties were established last year as part of a US-sponsored agreement known as the 'Abraham Accords'. This crucial visit is followed by Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's June visit to UAE when he inaugurated the nation's embassy in Abu Dhabi. Upon his arrival at the royal airport, the Israeli prime minister was received by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and an honour guard, Israel's office of prime minister informed. Naftali Bennett said that he appreciated the hospitality, adding that it was a splendid welcome. He also noted that he was very moved to be in the UAE, on the first official visit by an Israeli leader. ALSO READ | Dubai govt first in world to turn 100% paperless, says Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Making history in Abu Dhabi. 🇮🇱🕊🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/Z7gZrnmP1n — Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) December 12, 2021 × Israel's PM said that he expected to strengthen the network of relations between the two countries. Ahead of his visit, his office had informed that the leaders will discuss deepening the ties, especially the economic and regional issues. Before starting his journey, Bennett tweeted, "I am now embarking on the first official visit ever of an Israeli Prime Minister to the United Arab Emirates. The potential inherent in the partnership between Israel and the Emirates is enormous. "Together, we have a real opportunity to create a stable, prosperous and stronger Middle East. And this is just the beginning," he added. The visit is also significant as it came amid heightened regional tension as world powers' try to renew a nuclear deal with Iran. Israel has talked about setting up joint defences with Gulf Arab states that share its concern over Iranian activities. Yet UAE has recently mounted outreach to neighbouring Iran, sending a top official there last Monday. ×

Israel's PM Naftali Bennett meets Crown Prince on historic UAE visit

<p>The first-ever official United Arab Emirates delegation to Israel set off on Tuesday after the two countries normalised ties last month under a US-brokered accord forged largely over shared fears of Iran.</p>

<p>An Etihad Airways plane carrying Emirati government officials, with US&nbsp;dignitaries accompanying them, left the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, headed to Ben-Gurion Airport, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24.</p>

<p>Israeli officials said the five-hour visit would be restricted to the airport due to coronavirus concerns.</p>

<p>The UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain in September became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to sign deals to establish formal ties with Israel, a move that Washington and its allies have said would foster regional peace and stability but which has been rejected by the Palestinians.</p>

<p>"This is an historical moment for the UAE country and Israel and we are looking forward to salaam (peace) ... in the region," one of the pilots could be heard saying in a video posted on Twitter by US&nbsp;Middle East envoy Ari Berkowitz.</p>

<p>Berkowitz and US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are accompanying the Emirati delegation, which is being led by Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq al-Mari and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer, according to a UAE foreign ministry spokeswoman.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;officials had on Sunday joined an Israeli delegation to Bahrain for a signing ceremony to formalise ties.</p>

<p>Israel and the UAE have already signed several commercial deals since mid-August when they first announced they would establish full relations.</p>

<p>Israeli officials said the two sides were expected to sign a mutual visa-exemption agreement - Israel's first with an Arab country.</p>


The first-ever official United Arab Emirates delegation to Israel set off on Tuesday after the two countries normalised ties last month under a US-brokered accord forged largely over shared fears of Iran.

The first-ever official United Arab Emirates delegation to Israel set off on Tuesday after the two countries normalised ties last month under a US-brokered accord forged largely over shared fears of Iran. An Etihad Airways plane carrying Emirati government officials, with US dignitaries accompanying them, left the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, headed to Ben-Gurion Airport, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24. Israeli officials said the five-hour visit would be restricted to the airport due to coronavirus concerns. The UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain in September became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to sign deals to establish formal ties with Israel, a move that Washington and its allies have said would foster regional peace and stability but which has been rejected by the Palestinians. "This is an historical moment for the UAE country and Israel and we are looking forward to salaam (peace) ... in the region," one of the pilots could be heard saying in a video posted on Twitter by US Middle East envoy Ari Berkowitz. Berkowitz and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are accompanying the Emirati delegation, which is being led by Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq al-Mari and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer, according to a UAE foreign ministry spokeswoman. The US officials had on Sunday joined an Israeli delegation to Bahrain for a signing ceremony to formalise ties. Israel and the UAE have already signed several commercial deals since mid-August when they first announced they would establish full relations. Israeli officials said the two sides were expected to sign a mutual visa-exemption agreement - Israel's first with an Arab country.

UAE government delegation heads to Israel for first official visit

<p>Israel and Bahrain formalised ties on Sunday by signing a joint communique as UAE agreed to normalise its ties with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-and-bahrain-to-formalise-diplomatic-ties-336185">Israel</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-israel-hold-talks-on-disputed-maritime-border-335189">Also Read: Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border</a></p>

<p>The US-brokered peace deal between Israel and Bahrain was agreed upon at the White House on September 15. The agreement was signed by Bahraini foreign minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani and Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.</p>

<p>Israel's foreign ministry said that the two nations had agreed to establish peaceful diplomatic relations and cooperate in the fields of the civil aviation, economy, communications, finance and agriculture.</p>

<p>Both nations also agreed to provide visa exemption for diplomats with both countries free to open embassies in each other's countries, as reports said &nbsp;Israel is set to open its embassy in Manama soon.</p>

<p>Israel's National Security Adviser Shabbat lauded the peace move saying that it was a "great day" as Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "historic peace agreement" with Bahrain.</p>

<p>According to the US Department of State, the US and Israeli delegations are expected to head to Abu Dhabi to take part in a business meeting.</p>

<p>Israel had agreed to suspend annexation plans in the West Bank in order to normalise ties with the UAE.</p>


Israel and Bahrain formalised ties on Sunday by signing a joint communique as UAE agreed to normalise its ties with Israel. Also Read: Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border The US-brokered peace deal between Israel and Bahrain was agreed upon at the White House on September 15.

Israel and Bahrain formalised ties on Sunday by signing a joint communique as UAE agreed to normalise its ties with Israel. Also Read: Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border The US-brokered peace deal between Israel and Bahrain was agreed upon at the White House on September 15. The agreement was signed by Bahraini foreign minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani and Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat. Israel's foreign ministry said that the two nations had agreed to establish peaceful diplomatic relations and cooperate in the fields of the civil aviation, economy, communications, finance and agriculture. Both nations also agreed to provide visa exemption for diplomats with both countries free to open embassies in each other's countries, as reports said Israel is set to open its embassy in Manama soon. Israel's National Security Adviser Shabbat lauded the peace move saying that it was a "great day" as Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "historic peace agreement" with Bahrain. According to the US Department of State, the US and Israeli delegations are expected to head to Abu Dhabi to take part in a business meeting. Israel had agreed to suspend annexation plans in the West Bank in order to normalise ties with the UAE.

Israel, Bahrain formalise diplomatic ties

This week, a cargo from Dubai arrived at Israel's Haifa, making headlines across the world. A few months, this journey by the MSC Paris would have been impossible. Are winds of change finally blowing in West Asia with the Abraham Accords?

The West Asia Post: New Dawn of Israeli-UAE Relations