The Israeli ambassador to the UAE, Amir Hayek, described the upcoming visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Abu Dhabi next week, as a "historic visit."
Hayek added - in an interview with Israeli Army Radio - that the visit is gaining importance as it is a direct continuation of the long-term strategic relations that Israel is building with the UAE.
And the Israeli President's office announced yesterday evening, Tuesday, that Herzog and his wife will make an official two-day visit to the UAE next week, in response to an invitation received from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.
Herzog said - in a statement issued by his office - "We have an opportunity to make history by making the first visit of an Israeli president to the United Arab Emirates. This important visit comes at a time when the two countries are busy laying the foundations for a new common future," as he put it.
The presidency in Israel is a largely ceremonial position.
Herzog's visit to the UAE follows Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's visit to it last December.
On September 14, 2020, Israel and the UAE signed an agreement to normalize relations, under the auspices of former US President Donald Trump, amid widespread Palestinian rejection.
The normalization of relations between the two sides has allowed for many commercial deals, including the contract for the unloading of oil in the Red Sea resort of Eilat, which is met with great opposition within Israel for its environmental damage.