Emirati FM meets with Israeli opposition leader in Italy
The meeting comes as the Israeli premier still awaits an official invite to visit the Emirati capital
Israel’s former prime minister Yair Lapid met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed in Italy on 8 August, where they discussed strengthening ties between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.
According to the Hebrew Channel 12, Lapid referred to the Emirati official as a “true friend and partner,” adding that together they “laid the groundwork for bilateral relations between Israel and the UAE.”
In the meeting, which reportedly lasted for more than three hours, Lapid called for continued cooperation between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi and deepening relations between them.
“Strategic ties” and “advancing joint projects” were discussed, according to Lapid’s office.
“We will continue to cooperate to deepen those ties and advance the interests of both our countries,” the former prime minister added.
Lapid became prime minister of Israel in July 2022 after Naftali Bennet stepped down and the ruling coalition was dissolved.
During his time as prime minister, and before when he served as foreign minister in Bennet’s government, he held several meetings with the Emirati foreign minister.
Lapid and Bin Zayed were among the leading members of the Negev Summit, held for the first time in March 2022. They encouraged political unity among Israel and its Arab allies to establish a security front against Iran and its nuclear program.
Two years earlier, the UAE normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords and developed their relationship significantly in several fields, including defense cooperation and the economy.
Lapid’s meeting with Bin Zayed comes as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still awaiting an invite to the Gulf country, which has been delayed due to the continuation of illegal settlement expansion and systematic oppression of the Palestinians.
However, in February this year, the UAE called off its plan to draft a UN Security Council Resolution against Israel’s illegal settlement activity due to US pressure.
The meeting also comes as Israel faces the worst internal crisis in its history due to Netanyahu’s plan for a judicial overhaul.
Lapid, an MK in the Yesh Atid party, has been among the leading opposition voices against the prime minister’s plan to rearrange the Israeli judiciary.