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Israeli PM Naftali Bennett arrives in the UAE on historic visit

The trip marks the first official visit by an Israeli PM after the two countries established diplomatic ties last year

by Gulf Business

December 13, 2021

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett arrived in the UAE on Sunday as part of an official visit.

The trip marks the first official visit by an Israeli PM after the two countries established diplomatic ties last year.

The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, welcomed the PM at the Presidential Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Mohamed Al Khaja, UAE ambassador to Israel, and Amir Hayek, Israel’s ambassador to the UAE were also present.

Israeli Prime Minister arrives in UAE#WamNews https://t.co/FJKaSg6zP8 pic.twitter.com/suZPQc66HE

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) December 12, 2021

Taking to Twitter, Bennett said that he appreciated the hospitality and noted that “he was very moved to be in the UAE, on the first official visit by an Israeli leader”.

He said that he expected to strengthen the network of relations between the two countries.

History is being made in Abu Dhabi – Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has arrived on the first official visit of an Israeli leader in the United Arab Emirates.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was received by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed and an honor guard. ????? pic.twitter.com/aY7g2joyXl

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 12, 2021

Ahead of the visit, Bennett had also said that during his meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the two leaders would discuss furthering cooperation in various fields, especially to boost “economic and commercial ties”.

“In just one year since normalising our relationship, we’ve already seen the extraordinary potential of the Israel-UAE partnership. This is just the beginning,” he said.

The UAE and Israel signed the Abraham Accords last year to formalise ties between the two nations.

Since then, the Emirates has signed over 60 memorandums of understanding with Israel and is expecting an “influx” of trade in the next two years, UAE’s Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq said in September.

The UAE is further seeking to grow economic ties with Israel to more than $1 trillion over the next decade, he added.

Read: UAE seeks $1 trillion in business with Israel over next decade