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Netanyahu's Secret UAE Visit Exposed; Security Agency Files Complaint
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the UAE on September 27, 2026, to meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reportedly ask him to deny claims of pre-October 7, 2023 warnings. The disclosure by Israeli media prompted Shin Bet to file a complaint against Channel 12 for the security breach, one month before Israel's scheduled election.
Quick Facts
- Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE
- Netanyahu met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- The meeting lasted approximately one hour
- Netanyahu sought to persuade Sheikh Mohamed to deny reports of pre-attack warning
- Channel 12 disclosed the visit while Netanyahu's plane was outside Israeli airspace


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to meet with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Israeli media reports confirmed by multiple sources. The meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, focused primarily on Iran—a shared strategic concern between the two countries. Netanyahu's office acknowledged the trip only after Israeli media, particularly Channel 12, disclosed it, marking the government's first official recognition despite not initially naming the destination.
The timing and purpose of the visit suggest a diplomatic effort to manage a political crisis in Israel. According to multiple sources briefed on the meeting, Netanyahu sought to persuade Sheikh Mohamed to deny reports published by the Israeli daily Haaretz claiming that the Emirati leader had warned Netanyahu about a looming Hamas attack days before the October 7, 2023 operation. Netanyahu's office has repeatedly denied receiving any such warning and has characterized the reports as "fabricated lies" aimed at damaging him electorally. The UAE's Foreign Ministry has declined to confirm or deny the warning claim, instead stating it maintains "open and direct lines of communication" with Israel and shares "all relevant intelligence."
The disclosure of Netanyahu's trip prompted a sharp security response. Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, filed a formal complaint with the Chief Military Censor demanding prosecution of Channel 12 "to the fullest extent of the law" for what it described as a "severe censorship violation." Netanyahu's office stated that the premature publication endangered the lives of the prime minister, his wife, the delegation including Mossad's head, and other top security officials—particularly because the report was made public while the prime minister's plane was still outside Israeli airspace. Mossad similarly condemned the disclosure.
The visit occurs one month before Israel's October 27 election, a context Netanyahu's rivals have seized upon to renew criticism of his pre-October 7 leadership. Opposition figures, including polling leader Gadi Eizenkot, have used the reported warnings from foreign leaders as evidence of failures in threat assessment and intelligence handling. In May 2026, Netanyahu's office claimed the prime minister had made a previous secret visit to the UAE in March during the early days of the Iran war, which the UAE's Foreign Ministry denied as "completely unfounded."
Israel and the UAE formally established diplomatic relations in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. During the current Iran war, security cooperation between the two countries has reportedly reached unprecedented levels, including Israeli deployment of an Iron Dome missile defense system to the UAE. Netanyahu has never made a publicly acknowledged official visit to the UAE.
Why This Matters
The disclosure of a sitting prime minister's undisclosed security visit—while his aircraft remained in foreign airspace—has triggered a formal security complaint and renewed pre-election scrutiny of threat assessments surrounding a major 2023 attack. The incident affects diplomatic coordination between two militarily integrated allies during an active regional conflict, and raises questions about operational security protocols during sensitive negotiations. Israel's October 27 election campaign now faces a verified breach and competing claims about early warnings, with measurable electoral timing one month away.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2020
WireIsrael and UAE established diplomatic relations under Abraham Accords
Oct 7, 2023
WireHamas attack on southern Israel
Sep 28, 2026
WireChannel 12 and Israeli media disclose Netanyahu's visit; Shin Bet files complaint
Oct 27, 2026
WireScheduled date of Israel's election
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Sources
- Netanyahu meets Emirati leader in a secret weekend trip to Abu Dhabi, and other Mideast developmentsAP NewsWireSep 28, 2026
- Netanyahu visits UAE, meets president on Iran -- Israeli state mediaxinhuaMediaSep 27, 2026
- Israeli media says Netanyahu visits UAE for talks with presidentcgtnMediaSep 28, 2026
- Israel’s Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE on Sunday, source saysCNNMediaSep 28, 2026
- Israel security agency files complaint over report Netanyahu visited UAEDawnMediaSep 28, 2026