Israel-UAE relations

Lapid taps business executive as first permanent envoy to UAE

By Lazar Berman

Amir Hayek, head of Israel’s Hotel Association, will replace Eitan Na’eh in Abu Dhabi

July 25, 2021, 8:36 pm

Lapid taps business executive as first permanent envoy to UAE

Amir Hayek, head of Israel’s Hotel Association, will replace Eitan Na’eh in Abu Dhabi

By Lazar Berman

This aerial photograph, taken on February 10, 2021, shows the oil storage containers of the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company (EAPC) in the mountains near Israel's Red Sea port city of Eilat. (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)

July 23, 2021, 9:58 pm

UAE said spooked by Israeli plans to scrutinize controversial pipeline deal

Reports say Abu Dhabi surprised to hear that agreement to pipe Gulf oil through Israel could be in jeopardy, sparking tension between Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem

By TOI staff

United Arab Emirates Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Oct. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)

July 23, 2021, 5:07 pm

Bennett and UAE crown prince discuss bilateral ties in first call

Prime minister calls de facto ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan to wish him well on Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, leaders agree to meet in the future

By TOI staff

Illustrative. An Israeli woman uses her phone in front of a building in Herzliya that housed the NSO Group intelligence firm, on August 28, 2016. (Jack Guez/AFP/File)

July 23, 2021, 1:04 am

Algeria launches probe of NSO spyware claim; Saudi Arabia, UAE deny allegations

Algiers prosecutor orders investigation into reports country was target of Israeli-made Pegasus malware; Gulf nations dismiss ‘false’ reports they used program to spy on dissidents

By AFP and TOI staff

Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attends the 40th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, FILE)

July 22, 2021, 10:45 am

UAE said linked to listing of 400 UK phone numbers as targets for NSO spyware

Leaked list includes number of British peer, as well as details of daughter of Dubai ruler who tried to run away and his ex-wife who fled; Israel’s NSO Group denies claims

By TOI staff

Israelis at a Red Sea beach near the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Company's (EAPC) oil terminal at Israel's southern port city of Eilat on February 10, 2021. (MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)

July 20, 2021, 5:17 am

State company defends UAE pipeline deal, says oil spill risks ‘negligible’

Europe Asia Pipeline Company says real aim of green groups’ High Court petition is to shut down all oil deliveries to Eilat; groups insist deal threatens city’s coral reefs

By Sue Surkes

Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona players (blue) during a match against Beitar Jerusalem at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium on January 4, 2020. (Flash90)

July 16, 2021, 7:14 pm

UAE, Israeli soccer clubs to face off in practice match in Serbia

Next week’s game between Ironi Kiryat Shmona and Sharjah FC follows match between Maccabi Netanya and Emirati squad of under 23-year-olds

By TOI staff

Emirati Ambassador Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah (R) and President Isaac Herzog at the official opening of the UAE embassy in Tel Aviv, July 14, 2021. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

July 14, 2021, 10:40 am

‘Just the beginning’: UAE opens Tel Aviv embassy as sides hail ties

President Isaac Herzog attends opening of mission at Stock Exchange building following agreement last year to normalize diplomatic ties

By Tal Schneider

Agriculture Minister Oded Forer and UAE Minister of Food and Water Security Miriam Al-Mahiri sign a deal in Tel Aviv on July 13, 2021. (Moshe Hermon/GPO)

July 13, 2021, 9:40 pm

Israel signs first agricultural agreements with the UAE

Countries agree to cooperate on research and innovation, including development of strains of produce suitable for growing in desert conditions

By TOI staff

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, attends a ceremony with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 27, 2019. (Mohamed Al Hammadi/Ministry of Presidential Affairs via AP)

July 13, 2021, 3:30 am

As Saudis and Emiratis take aim at each other, Israel could get hit by ricochets

As the Gulf competition spills into the open, Riyadh will likely seek to rein in Abu Dhabi’s ambitions by targeting its newest trading partner — Israel

By Lazar Berman

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, left, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud speak during a press conference during the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

July 5, 2021, 5:28 pm

Saudi Arabia amends import rules to sideline Israel-linked products

The kingdom’s decree also pulls tax breaks from goods made in free zones in an effort to challenge the UAE’s trade domination in the Gulf

By TOI staff

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid shakes hands with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (Shlomi Amsalem/Government Press Office via AP)

July 4, 2021, 3:55 pm

UAE-Israel peace is more than an agreement. It’s a way of life.

The Abraham Accords represent a future that we believe must become more commonplace: one in which differences are set aside in favor of dialogue

By Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Yair Lapid

A delegation of Israelis, Moroccans, Emiratis and Bahrainis gather for a photo in Israel on June 15, 2021, as part of an event held by Israel-is (Israel-is)

July 4, 2021, 1:10 pm

In Israel, Emiratis and Moroccans check out tech and forge ties

During a weeklong trip, young visitors from Muslim countries get a taste of Israeli innovation, food and culture in bid for normalization

By Jake Epstein

The Kosher buffet provided by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed's office to the Israeli delegation in Abu Dhabi, June 29, 2021 (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)

July 2, 2021, 12:43 am

Abu Dhabi ruler went out of his way to ensure kosher food for Lapid delegation

Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed’s office insisted on preparing freshly made food for Israeli group’s visit, with delivery even getting a royal escort

By Lazar Berman

An Etihad Airways plane carrying a delegation from the United Arab Emirates on a first official visit lands at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on October 20, 2020. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)

July 1, 2021, 2:07 pm

Israeli, UAE airlines announce codeshare and frequent flyer partnership

Deal between El Al and Etihad comes after first official trip by Israeli foreign minister to Abu Dhabi, Dubai

By AFP