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Netanyahu held secret meeting with Emirati president in the UAE during Iran war, PM's office says

AL-MONITOR
May 13, 2026
FILE PHOTO: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem April 21, 2026. ILIA YEFIMOVICH/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem April 21, 2026. ILIA YEFIMOVICH/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo — ILIA YEFIMOVICH

JERUSALEM, May 13 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates and met with the Emirati president during the war with Iran, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the meeting resulted in an "historic breakthrough" in relations between Israel and the UAE.

The statement appeared to be the first confirmation of a meeting between Netanyahu and the Emirati president.

UAE is one of just a few Arab states with diplomatic relations with Israel, which were made official during the 2020 Abraham Accords, a signature foreign policy achievement of U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.

(Reporting by Emily Rose; editing by Philippa Fletcher)