Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett concluded today, Thursday, a short visit to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, during which he met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Iran was among the files discussed by the two sides, while Israeli media said that Tel Aviv had deployed a radar system in several countries in the Middle East, including the UAE. To counter the "Iranian threats".

The Israeli government spokesman said that Bennett discussed with Mohammed bin Zayed the security cooperation between the two sides, the Iranian challenge and its repercussions, and the International Atomic Energy Agency's decision, which constitutes a warning sign for Iran, as it is moving forward with its nuclear program, as he put it.

The Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement that the Abu Dhabi visit aims to build a new level in relations between Israel and the UAE.

Close encounters

Bennett's visit is his second to the UAE since the normalization of relations between the two countries in 2020 under the auspices of the United States, and the first after Mohammed bin Zayed assumed the presidency following the death of his half-brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in mid-May.

Bin Zayed and Bennett also met in Egypt last March.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is now concluding his visit to the United Arab Emirates, returning to Israel.

During the visit, the Prime Minister met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, face to face and discussed with him a series of economic and regional issues.

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— Prime Minister of the State of Israel (@Israelipm_ar) June 9, 2022

There was no prior announcement of the visit, which Bennett's office described as a "lightning visit" that would touch on "various regional issues."

Last May, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv signed a free trade agreement, the first of its kind, between Israel and an Arab country, under which 96% of exchanged goods are excluded from customs duties.

And the Emirates News Agency reported that the country's President Mohamed bin Zayed discussed with the Israeli Prime Minister bilateral cooperation, especially with regard to investment and economic aspects, food security and health.

In a related context, navigational data revealed 5 cargo flights of two "Ilyushin" planes owned by "Fly Sky Airlines" between the Emirates and Israel on the first, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth of this June.

radar system

On the other hand, Israeli Channel 12 revealed that the Israeli army has deployed a radar system in several countries in the Middle East, including the UAE and Bahrain, as part of a vision of joint cooperation in confronting "Iran's missile threats and creating an early warning system."

Israeli Channel 12 revealed that the Israeli army has deployed a radar system in several countries in the Middle East, including the UAE and Bahrain.

The channel pointed out that this system succeeded in providing advance warning several months ago when Iran launched booby-trapped drones towards Israel, which were brought down over Iraqi airspace.

The same Israeli channel said that Washington is seeking to establish a security alliance that includes Israel and a number of Gulf countries, including countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

In this context, the American Wall Street Journal reported that US lawmakers from the Democratic and Republican parties have submitted a bill to Congress, stipulating that the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) work with Israel and a number of Arab countries to integrate defenses to thwart what it described as the Iranian threats.