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Friday, September 12, 2025
UAE reportedly summons Israeli ambassador over Doha strike
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The United Arab Emirates summons Israeli Ambassador Yossi Shelley over Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, Israeli media report, in another sign of strain between the two countries with close economic and defense ties.
Even before Tuesday’s strike on the Qatari capital Doha, relations between Abu Dhabi and Israel’s government had been uneasy over a potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which the UAE earlier told The Times of Israel would constitute a ‘red line’.
Israel’s attempt to kill Hamas political leaders prompted international condemnation, including from the UAE. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Qatar to expel Hamas officials or to “bring them to justice, because if you don’t, we will.”
The UAE, which normalized ties with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, condemned Netanyahu’s remarks as “hostile,” as its President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan toured Gulf Arab countries, aiming to coordinate positions on the Israeli attack.
There was no immediate comment from the UAE or Israeli foreign ministries on the report.
The Doha attack on the terror group’s leadership, which has long been based there, was especially sensitive because Qatar has been hosting and mediating negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in the Gaza war.
The UAE is also reportedly considering a Qatari request to close its embassy in Tel Aviv in response to the Doha strike. And it is already eager to rid Abu Dhabi of Shelley over his reported misconduct, including breaches of protocol and security regulations.
Doha will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday and Monday to discuss the Israeli attack.
The Times of Israel Community.