Saudi Arabia denies reports of representatives at Israel-UAE meeting
A Saudi source said there was no truth to reports that a Saudi representative took part in an expanded meeting involving Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed.
The denial came after reports circulated about Netanyahu’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi and an alleged broader meeting involving representatives from several countries. Israeli journalist Dror Balazada had claimed on social media that Saudi representatives joined discussions after Netanyahu met Sheikh Mohammed.
According to the reports, the wider discussions focused on security cooperation, Iran, the Houthis and regional defence systems. However, a Saudi source told Arab News that reports about the presence of a Saudi representative were false.
The development has attracted attention because Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, while the UAE established relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Netanyahu meets UAE president in Abu Dhabi
Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and held talks with Sheikh Mohammed, according to the UAE’s state news agency, WAM.
The UAE confirmed the visit on Monday, saying the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop ties between their countries. The visit was not publicly announced beforehand and gained attention after reports emerged about the meeting.
Netanyahu’s office later confirmed the trip, saying the visit focused on strengthening relations between Israel and the UAE as well as regional challenges. The UAE and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 2020, when they established formal ties under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Talks reportedly focused on Iran
While the UAE’s official account focused on bilateral relations, Israeli officials provided additional details about the meeting.
Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that Netanyahu’s meeting with Sheikh Mohammed lasted around six hours and focused on Iran. Regional security issues have remained an important subject in relations between Israel and Gulf states, particularly amid continuing tensions involving Iran and armed groups in the region.
Reports about the meeting also mentioned the Houthis and regional defence cooperation. However, Saudi Arabia has specifically rejected claims that it sent a representative to take part in the discussions.
Reports trigger questions over regional cooperation
Reports about possible Saudi participation attracted attention because of the different diplomatic positions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE towards Israel.
The UAE has formal diplomatic relations with Israel, while Saudi Arabia has not established diplomatic ties with the country. Reports of a Saudi representative attending talks involving Netanyahu therefore raised questions about possible regional security discussions.
Saudi Arabia’s denial makes clear that Riyadh is rejecting the reported participation. The Saudi source did not provide further details about the alleged meeting or explain how the reports originated.
Israeli journalist reported expanded meeting
The claims about Saudi involvement were first circulated after Israeli journalist Dror Balazada posted about the alleged expanded meeting on social media.
The post claimed that representatives from Saudi Arabia had joined discussions following Netanyahu’s meeting with Sheikh Mohammed. The reported agenda included security cooperation, Iran, the Houthis and regional defence systems.
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The claims were later repeated in other reports, but Saudi Arabia rejected the allegation. A separate report also said that the initial claim about a Saudi representative was later corrected after the report could not confirm that such a meeting had taken place.
UAE confirms Netanyahu’s visit
The UAE’s confirmation of Netanyahu’s visit provided the first official acknowledgment of the trip.
WAM reported that Sheikh Mohammed and Netanyahu discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them. Reuters also reported that Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met Sheikh Mohammed. The meeting was confirmed by the UAE after the visit had already taken place.
The visit came at a time when regional security concerns remain high, particularly over Iran and conflicts involving armed groups in the Middle East. The meeting therefore attracted wider regional attention beyond the bilateral relationship between Israel and the UAE.
Saudi-Israel ties remain sensitive
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Riyadh has previously linked any potential normalisation with Israel to progress on Palestinian statehood and related issues. The UAE, meanwhile, became one of the first Arab countries to establish formal relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Because of these different positions, reports of Saudi involvement in a meeting with Netanyahu were particularly significant. Saudi Arabia’s latest statement rejects the specific claim that one of its representatives attended the Abu Dhabi meeting.
Regional security remains a key issue
Iran and regional security continue to feature prominently in discussions among Middle Eastern countries.
The Houthis in Yemen have also remained an important security concern for Gulf states because of attacks and tensions involving the group. Reports surrounding Netanyahu’s visit suggested that these issues may have been part of wider regional discussions.
However, the confirmed account of the Netanyahu-Sheikh Mohammed meeting focused on bilateral relations, while Israeli officials separately told Reuters that Iran was a major topic of discussion. Saudi Arabia’s denial means claims about its participation should not be treated as confirmed.
