First Time Meeting, This Is What Crown Prince Of Abu Dhabi MBZ Discussed With Israeli PM Naftali Bennett

JAKARTA - Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) hosted Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday, in the first public meeting between the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates and an Israeli leader.

Israel's ambassador to Abu Dhabi said Iran was on the agenda for their talks, which followed the formalization of Israel-UAE relations last year under a regional initiative led by the United States.

While shared concerns about Iran's activities are one reason for the diplomatic move, the UAE has also sought to improve relations with Tehran.

Releasing a photo of Bennett and Sheikh Mohammed smiling and shaking hands, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office described the meeting as a historic moment, citing Reuters December 13.

A statement on state news agency WAM said Sheikh Mohammed voiced hope for "stability in the Middle East", saying PM Bennet's visit would "promote cooperative relations towards more positive steps in the interests of the peoples of the two countries and the region."

Meanwhile, the Palestinians, whose diplomacy with Israel has stalled since 2014, have lamented the restoration of Israeli-Emirati ties.

Israeli Ambassador Amir Hayek declined to elaborate on the discussion on Iran, but he told Israeli Army Radio: "The prime minister didn't just come here solely to address the Iranian issue."

With world powers now trying to renew the Iran nuclear deal, Abu Dhabi last week sent envoys to Tehran. Meanwhile, a US delegation is scheduled in the UAE this week to warn Emirati banks against non-compliance with sanctions against Iran.

Iran is Israel's arch-foe, but has not been publicly mentioned by PM Bennett since he departed Sunday for the UAE, with promises to promote bilateral trade and other forms of civil cooperation.

Separately, Israel's Hayom newspaper, citing unnamed officials, said Bennett was expected to brief Sheikh Mohammed about intelligence on Iranian-supplied militias and drones in the region.

It is known that Israel last month started the establishment of a joint defense against Iran with the Arab Gulf states.

Hayek said a military sale to the UAE was in the works, although an Israeli industry source said an advanced Israeli air defense system had not yet been offered.

"Israel is working with new friends, with partners for the long term, and the considerations will be defense considerations as well as considerations of how you work with a country that is very, very, very friendly with Israel," Hayek said.

To note, the Israel-UAE bilateral trade in goods reached almost 500 million US dollars so far in 2021, up from 125 million US dollars in 2020, and is expected to continue to grow rapidly.