Report: Netanyahu sent Mossad chief to convince hesitant UAE to allow visit

According to Barak Ravid on Axios, Netanyahu has worked for days to convince the Emiratis to allow the trip to go forward, with the latter strongly opposed as they did not wish to be seen as interfering in the Israeli election.

Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, Ravid says Netanyahu sent Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to use various channels to convince Abi Dhabi to agree.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and head of the Mossad Yossi Cohen during a toast ceremony for the Jewish New Year on October 2, 2017 (Haim Zach/GPO)

Ravid tells Channel 12 the Emiratis eventually acquiesced last night, and wonders out loud whether Netanyahu had promised them something in return for the gesture that will aid him politically.

Reportedly no journalists will join Netanyahu on the short trip that will last only a few hours, and he will travel only with a camera crew from the Government Press Office.