DOMINANT ANGLE
Israel is weighing Netanyahu's secret trip to the Emirates in light of the October 27 election, as revelations about the alerts received before October 7 are fueling the confrontation between his bloc and the "bloc of change".
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed received Netanyahu on Sunday for a meeting described as lasting about an hour by a source cited by Haaretz, while the Jerusalem Post mentions a six-hour presence focused on Iran.
- 02
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announces he intends to sue Netanyahu for defamation and demands the publication of his schedule and documents on the alerts received before October 7.
- 03
The Wall Street Journal, as cited by the Jerusalem Post, reports at least three distinct Egyptian warnings, including a secret visit by intelligence chief Abbas Kamel eleven days before the attack.
ANALYSIS
Jérusalem, September 29, 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's secret visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday has taken center stage in the Israeli election campaign, just a month before the October 27 vote. According to Channel 12, as reported by the AP and CNN, the Prime Minister met with President Mohammed bin Zayed for about an hour. The Jerusalem Post, on the other hand, mentions a six-hour presence on Emirati soil, with a discussion focused on Iran, according to three Israeli officials. The Prime Minister's office confirmed the trip on Monday, which was made "at the invitation" of the Emirati president, and was dedicated to "strengthening relations" and addressing "regional challenges". The official Emirati agency WAM, for its part, mentioned a discussion on "bilateral relations".
Haaretz claims that a source corroborated its investigation, which found that Netanyahu had asked bin Zayed to deny a phone call that took place ten days before October 7, 2023, during which the Emirati leader allegedly warned him that an operation by Yahya Sinwar was being prepared against Israel. The Prime Minister denied on Monday that he had made this request. The Jerusalem Post reports that a previous secret meeting had been canceled "just before takeoff", with the Emiratis claiming that bin Zayed "was not in the country" - a point that the newspaper says it has verified as inaccurate.
The Shin Bet has filed a complaint with the military censor against Channel 12's report on this trip, judging that it "put the lives of the Netanyahu couple in danger". Meanwhile, former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced his intention to sue the Prime Minister for defamation, demanding the publication of his schedule and documents related to the alerts received before the attack. The Wall Street Journal, cited by the Jerusalem Post, lists at least three separate Egyptian warnings, including a secret visit by intelligence chief Abbas Kamel eleven days before the attack.
A Kan poll published on Sunday puts Netanyahu's bloc and the "bloc of change" at a tie, with 52 seats each, and the Likud gaining one seat to 21. A Haaretz analysis sees this as a "last resort weapon" drawn in Abu Dhabi thirty days before the vote.
SOURCES (3)
- Netanyahu asked UAE leader to deny Haaretz Oct. 7 warning report in secret visit
- Netanyahu confirms UAE visit, denies asking MBZ to refute Haaretz Oct. 7 report
- Shin Bet files IDF censor complaint over report on Netanyahu's UAE visit
- Analysis: Stalling in the polls, Netanyahu preps his doomsday weapon – in Abu Dhabi
- Jerusalem PostMEDIUM
- Iran center of Benjamin Netanyahu, MBZ talks during Israeli PM's six-hour visit to UAE
- UAE confirms Benjamin Netanyahu visit, discussion over bilateral relations with MBZ
- Former Shin Bet chief threatens defamation suit against Benjamin Netanyahu
- Benjamin Netanyahu received three warnings from Egypt including in days before October 7
- Arutz ShevaMEDIUM
