Israel’s prime minister says he's returning home “very optimistic” from a two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates — the first official visit to the Gulf country by an Israeli leader since the countries established relations last year.
In this photo provided by the Israel Government Press Office , Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, is received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed at his private palace in Abu Dhabi, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.
Bennett’s office said he met Monday with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s powerful crown prince and de facto ruler of the Emirates for some four hours, with more than half of the time spent in one-on-one talks. In a video statement before his departure, Bennett said he had held “meaningful, in-depth and straightforward talks” about the region.
Israel and the UAE last year signed an deal to normalize relations that was brokered by the Trump administration under the “Abraham Accords,” a series of diplomatic agreements with Arab countries that also included Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
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