© AP
Israeli President Isaac Herzog heads to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for the first visit by an Israeli head of state to the Gulf state.
MTMsource: Belgian
“We are fortunate to make history with the first visit of an Israeli president to the United Arab Emirates,” President Herzog said in a statement. His wife will accompany him on the trip.
During his two-day visit, the head of state will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates. He will also meet with Dubai Prime Minister Rashid Al Maktoum and other officials and representatives of the Jewish community. Israel Day will also open at the Dubai World Fair.
The visit comes less than two months after the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to the United Arab Emirates.
In September 2020, Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a US agreement to establish diplomatic relations. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan also signed such an agreement with Israel. Previously, only two Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan, had diplomatic relations with Israel.
With the rapprochement, the two countries hope for economic benefits, but it is also seen as an alliance against Iran and its nuclear program.
