Israeli President Isaac Herzog will mark his first-ever visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this weekend. As President of a nation, Herzog will be visiting for the first time the Gulf Nations.
While informing about the visit, the President stated that the countries have been laying the foundations of a new shared future, and it is his privilege to become the first-ever Israeli President to visit the United Arab Emirates.
Reportedly, the Israeli President will come to UAE for two days after the invitation from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Apart from meet with the Crown Prince, Herzog’s two-day visit schedule also includes meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and other senior government officials and representatives of the Jewish community in the country.
According to Herzog’s office, he would also meet the Dubai ruler and associated senior government officers. He might also give a tour to Dubai Expo 2020.
However, the visit of the Israeli President has not been yet officially confirmed by the authorities of UAE.
In late 2021, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visited the Gulf States and met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince. During this historic visit, Bennett said that he discussed the growing relationship between UAE and Israel with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
A step to normalize their alliance was taken by both nations in September 2020. The UAE and Israeli signed a US-sponsored deal to back their building relationship. Thenceforth, the officials of both the countries have exchanged official visits and signed several agreements in different fields, including tourism, banking service and investments.
UAE was joined by three other Arab states – Morocco, Sudan and Bahrain, in the controversial move, which is now popularly addressed as “the Abraham Accords”. The move has been criticized by the Palestinians, as according to them, their rights are ignored, and the accord did not serve any cause for Palestinians.