Israeli president continues UAE visit despite Houthi missile fire

Israeli President Isaac Herzog continued his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates today despite a missile launched yesterday at Abu Dhabi by Houthi revels. A statement by Herzog’s office said he was informed of the incident and that the visit was expected to proceed as planned, noting, “There was not, and is not, any danger posed to the president and his entourage.” The Emirati Defense Ministry said its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis toward the country. After a prior Houthi drone attack, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett offered the Emirates Israel's condolences for the victims as well as intelligence and other assistance.

Herzog and his wife Michal arrived yesterday morning in Abu Dhabi on a first-ever official to the country by an Israeli president. The flight from Israel to the Emirates reportedly crossed Saudi Arabia, with which Israel does not have formal diplomatic relations. Herzog reportedly entered the cockpit to view and admire the Saudi desert below.