The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has publicly denied Israel’s viral claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country and met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
The controversy began late last night when the Israeli prime minister’s official X account posted that Netanyahu had made a “secret” visit to the UAE during Operation Roaring Lion and held a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Prime Minister's Office Statement:
In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2026
A few hours later, at around 1:29 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PST), the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal response rejecting the claim.
In its official statement, the UAE said it denies reports circulating about a visit by the Israeli prime minister or the reception of any Israeli military delegation on its soil.
The ministry also stressed that the country’s relations with Israel are public, declared, and exist within the known framework of the Abraham Accords, not through secret or undisclosed arrangements.
الإمارات تنفي ما يتم تداوله بشأن زيارة رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أو استقبال وفد عسكري إسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/rl5XSzX2RG
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 13, 2026
The statement further said that any claims about unannounced visits or hidden understandings have no basis unless they are issued by the relevant official authorities in the UAE. It also urged media outlets to verify information carefully and avoid spreading unconfirmed material or using it to create political impressions.
The response came after the Israeli side framed the supposed visit as a major diplomatic development in the middle of the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran.
