عوزي رابي

Israel and the UAE found themselves in a reality that did not exist when the normalization agreements were signed. At that time, the talk was about normalization, tourism, investments, direct flights, and technology. Today, the situation is different: air defense, intelligence, missiles, drones, and preparations for the next round. Therefore, the important questions are not limited to what bin Zayed said to Netanyahu three years ago, but also include what they want to know now.

Every Israeli who wants to understand this surprise visit should change his perspective for a moment, not look at Abu Dhabi from Tel Aviv, but at Tehran from Abu Dhabi. Iran lies across the Gulf, and missiles, drones, cyberspace, and the ability to disrupt shipping and trade lines are not a theoretical threat to the UAE. The last war showed how the Gulf states themselves can become part of the battlefield in a single moment.

Netanyahu boarded a private plane, headed to Abu Dhabi, met for hours with the head of state, Mohammed bin Zayed, then returned to Tel Aviv, without ceremonies, without an honor guard, without a press conference, without a joint statement, and this sentence is enough to understand the extent of the change that has occurred in the Middle East.

This is what diplomacy looks like when it matures: it is less formal, less visible in photographs, and sometimes less talkative, and it is conducted in closed rooms between leaders who realize that threats transcend borders and that interests do not end there.

Israel and the UAE found themselves in a reality that did not exist when the normalization agreements were signed. Back then, the talk was about normalization, tourism, investments, direct flights and technology. Today, the situation is different: air defense, intelligence, missiles, drones and preparations for the next round.

Netanyahu boarded a private plane, headed to Abu Dhabi, met for hours with the head of state, Mohammed bin Zayed, then returned to Tel Aviv, without ceremonies, without an honor guard, without a press conference, without a joint statement, and this sentence alone is enough to understand the extent of the change that has occurred in the Middle East.