Israeli officials are pushing hard to expand their partnership with the United Arab Emirates, calling it a "huge opportunity" as the ongoing Middle East conflict forces regional powers to recalibrate their relationships. The push comes amid shifting alliances across the region, with several Arab states reassessing their positions toward Israel following the war in Gaza.
Diplomatic Charm Offensive
Senior Israeli ministers have held multiple rounds of talks with Emirati counterparts over the past three months, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The two countries, which normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, have been exploring ways to deepen economic ties and security cooperation despite the broader regional turmoil.
"This is a pivotal moment for our relationship with the UAE," one Israeli official told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday. "The war has created conditions where countries are rethinking their strategic calculations, and we intend to capitalize on that."
Economic Partnership on the Table
Trade between Israel and the UAE reached approximately $2.5 billion in 2023, according to data from the Israeli Economy Ministry. Officials in Tel Aviv are now pushing to triple that figure within two years, focusing on sectors including technology, renewable energy, and logistics.
Dubai has emerged as a key financial hub for Israeli businesses seeking to operate in the Middle East despite the conflict. Israeli banks and investment firms have established a significant presence in the emirate since the normalization deal, with hundreds of companies registering offices there.
Defense Industry Deals
Aerospace and defense cooperation has also moved to the forefront. Israeli defense manufacturers are negotiating contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars with Emirati entities, according to industry sources. The deals include advanced surveillance systems and cybersecurity technology.
Regional Context and Complications
The UAE has publicly maintained that its Abraham Accords commitments remain intact, but Emirati leaders have also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This balancing act reflects the complex political pressures facing Gulf states, which must navigate popular sentiment among their own populations while pursuing strategic interests.
Analysts note that while the UAE has not severed ties with Israel, Abu Dhabi's public messaging has become notably more cautious since the war began in October 2023. Emirati officials have avoided high-profile joint events that could attract criticism.
"The UAE is walking a tightrope," said Dr. Maria Al-Rashid, a researcher at the Gulf Research Center in Geneva. "They want to preserve the relationship without being seen as aligned with Israel's military operations."
What This Means for the Abraham Accords
The efforts to expand Israeli-Emirati ties represent a test case for the broader normalization framework that the United States brokered in 2020. Bahrain and Morocco also signed deals with Israel under the same initiative, though those relationships have remained largely dormant.
Washington has encouraged both sides to continue building their partnership, viewing the UAE as a crucial anchor for regional stability. American officials have held separate talks with Emirati and Israeli leaders over the past month, pressing for continued cooperation despite the conflict.
Outlook and What to Watch
Israeli officials say a joint economic forum is planned for early 2025, which would bring together business leaders from both countries. The event, expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, could signal whether the two governments can move forward with deeper integration.
However, analysts caution that the trajectory depends heavily on how the Gaza conflict unfolds. If hostilities continue for months to come, Emirati caution may intensify, limiting the scope for expanded cooperation. The coming weeks will test whether Israel's "huge opportunity" materializes into concrete deals or remains confined to diplomatic rhetoric.
