Israeli-Gulf relations

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, US President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, March 25, 2025.

Interview

Huckabee confirms US-Israel alignment on Iran, says Hamas will disarm 'sooner or later'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Al-Monitor in an interview that the 2025 strike on Iranian nuclear sites was only a preview of what the US military is capable of.

This photograph taken on Jan. 20, 2026, organized by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, shows Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in the city of Mukalla in Yemen's coastal southern Hadhramaut province.

Saudi-UAE rift complicates Israel's counter-Iran efforts, normalization

Israel fears that the rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will further push Riyadh toward countries that espouse political Islam policies.

The commander of CENTCOM, Admiral Brad Cooper, visited Israel as the official guest of Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir.

Analysis

As US-Iran talks set to begin, Israel struggles to shape Trump's options

With US-Iran scheduled for Friday in Oman, Israel finds itself faced with two opposing options: press Washington to strike Iranian targets, or urge it to insist on a comprehensive deal.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash (C) react on stage with Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe (R) during the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 3, 2026. Spain will seek to ban social media for under-16s to protect them from harmful content such as pornography and violence, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on February 3, in the latest such move by governments. Australia established a world first i

On eve of talks, UAE's Gargash throws weight behind Iran-US deal

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, spoke at a panel discussion at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where he discussed the latest developments in Gaza, Iran, Sudan and Yemen.

United Arab Emirates

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Interview

Gaza calm could revive East Med Forum, Israel-Jordan projects: Cohen

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen gives a press conference in Larnaca on December 20, 2023 talking about a humanitarian aid corridor from the Mediterranean island to war-torn Gaza. (Photo by Elisa AMOURET / AFP) (Photo by ELISA AMOURET/AFP via Getty Images)

Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen

Israeli Energy Minister

Analysis

Iran warns of Israeli plots in Syria amid its own anxieties over lost leverage

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, permanent representative of Iran to the UN, gives a statement after a UN Security Council meeting on June 13, 2025, in New York City.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Exclusive

Inside Netanyahu’s pressure campaign to block Turkey, Saudi Arabia from acquiring F-35s

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (L) talks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Differences over Hamas, Turkey and Iran overshadow Netanyahu-Trump summit

US President Donald Trump (L) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House, Washington, Sept. 29, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

This picture taken on November 22, 2020 in Cairo shows a man holding a phone showing a picture of Egypt's self-proclaimed "superstar" Mohamed Ramadan posted by the official Facebook page of the State of Israel in Arabic (linked to the foreign ministry) depicting Ramadan (R) hugging Israeli midfielder Dia Saba in Dubai. - Ramadan, a 32-year-old actor and rapper, boasts millions of followers in the Arab world, is a close friend of Morocco's King Mohamed VI and the recipient of the 2019 All Africa Music Awards

Israeli Arabs enjoy fruits of normalization with the Emirates

For some Israeli Arabs the normalization agreement with the United Arab Emirates opens a range of possibilities for both business and tourism.

United Arab Emirates

An Etihad Airways plane carrying a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a first official visit, lands at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on October 20, 2020. - The UAE delegation left on the country's first official visit to Israel with a string of deals set to be signed after the two countries signed a deal to normalise ties last month. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

El Al, Etihad pledge further air travel cooperation

The memorandum of understanding is the latest development in UAE-Israel ties following the normalization agreement.

United Arab Emirates

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani meets with Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (IKRG) in Arbil, capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, on January 15, 2020. (Photo by SAFIN HAMED / AFP) (Photo by SAFIN HAMED/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar calls UAE and Bahrain's normalization with Israel 'sovereign decision'

Qatar's foreign minister also stressed a "united front" of Arab states on the Israel-Palestine issue and discussed Qatar's relations with Israel.

Bahrain FM to visit Israel on Wednesday, meet with Netanyahu, Pompeo

Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani will visit Israel on Wednesday for a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Etihad to start daily Tel Aviv flights in 2021

Air travel is a major part of the newly established relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli settlers visit Dubai to discuss business ties

Palestinian officials are angry the Gulf state welcomed Israeli settlers from the West Bank.

Israel approves normalization with Bahrain, advances ties with Sudan

It was a rich diplomatic day in Israel, with the Knesset validating the normalization deal with Bahrain and an Israeli official delegation preparing to depart on Sunday to Sudan for rapprochement talks.

Opposition slams Netanyahu for allegedly approving US-Emirates F-35 deal

Opposition members keep slamming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the imminent sale by the United States to the UAE of F-35 stealth jets.

Biden's campaign showed what his Middle East policy may be as president

The former vice president criticized President Donald Trump's sanctions on Iran and also spoke out on Turkey's role in the Azerbaijan-Armenia war leading up to the Nov. 3 vote.

As Biden takes lead, Palestinians eager to return to talks with US

While Palestinian officials don't expect a Biden administration to roll back all of Trump's policies, they are hopeful for a change in course in US-Palestinian ties.

Dubai-based airline announces daily flights to Tel Aviv

The budget carrier flydubai will start flying to Israel's largest city later this month in the latest sign of deepening economic ties between Israel and the Emirates.

United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House on September 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Witnessed by President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu signed a peace deal with the UAE and a decl

Israel's intelligence chief wants next US president to continue Abraham Accords

Eli Cohen told Ynet TV that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are "on the agenda" for recognizing the Jewish state.