Netanyahu made secret visit to UAE to meet with country's president
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates to meet with President Mohammed bin Zayed, according to CBS News. [2] The visit was reported as having taken place “recently,” with no public details provided about where in the UAE the meeting occurred. [2]
Netanyahu’s office said the meeting “resulted in a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.” [2] In a separate account, the Prime Minister’s Office described the outcome as a “historic breakthrough,” language also reported by other outlets covering the visit. [1] The Independent similarly reported that the prime minister’s office said “the meeting resulted in a ‘historic breakthrough’ in relations between Israel and the UAE.” [3]
The secrecy surrounding the trip underscored the sensitivity of the talks, with CBS News characterizing the visit as “secret” and linking it directly to Netanyahu’s meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed. [2] Neither CBS News nor the statements attributed to Netanyahu’s office in the available reporting provided specific details about what agreements, understandings, or next steps constituted the “historic breakthrough.” [2]
The Prime Minister’s Office’s description of the meeting as a “historic breakthrough” was also reported by the South China Morning Post, reinforcing that the Israeli side was presenting the encounter as a significant turning point in bilateral ties. [1] The Independent’s reporting echoed that framing, attributing the same characterization to the prime minister’s office. [3]
CBS News reported the meeting as a recent, undisclosed visit by Netanyahu to the UAE to see Mohammed bin Zayed, with Netanyahu’s office pointing to a “historic breakthrough” as the outcome. [2]
Timeline· Developing
Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE to hold a meeting with the country's president amid the ongoing Iran war.
- Netanyahu made secret visit to UAE to meet president
On May 12 reports said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates to meet with the country's president. The trip was unannounced and occurred amid the wider Iran war, drawing attention to quiet diplomatic contacts in the region.
UAE reports drones struck nuclear plant area
On May 20 the United Arab Emirates reported that drones launched from Iraq struck the area around a nuclear plant, raising alarms about strikes near sensitive civilian nuclear infrastructure. The incident heightened regional security concerns following recent diplomatic activity.
UN Security Council condemns attack on UAE nuclear plant
Also on May 20 the U.N. Security Council issued a condemnation of the attack on the UAE nuclear plant area, signaling international diplomatic concern and calling attention to the potential wider implications of cross-border strikes.
Related Coverage (1)
Sources (3)
Published May 12, 2026
Synthesized from 3 sources