Israel To Recall Diplomatic Staff from UAE Over Security Concerns

Israel’s National Security Council has tightened travel warnings for Israeli citizens living in the Gulf country

In view of recent security concerns, the Israeli government has decided to immediately withdraw most of its diplomatic mission staff from the United Arab Emirates.

With the move, the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) has further tightened a travel warning for Israeli citizens living in the Gulf country.

According to Israeli media, the NSC has made it clear in its recent statement that Iranian -backed groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and other global jihadist organizations, have intensified efforts to target Israeli interests. Particularly during the Jewish holidays and weekly worship (Shabbat), the UAE -based Israeli and Jewish citizens have been feared to be subjected to possible attacks.

Interestingly, the staff called back also included the UAE’s ambassador to the UAE. According to the state broadcasting agency ‘Kan’, allegations of mismanagement against the ambassador have emerged, which has led to the possibility of dismissing his post.

The move comes when Israel is facing international pressure on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, in addition to Iran’s possible retaliation. The situation has been strained since the murder of an Israeli-Moldovi Rabi in the UAE last November, after which three people were sentenced to death in March.

It is to be remembered that in 2020, under the Abraham Treaty, formal relations between the UAE and Israel were established, which has since increased the presence of the Israeli and Jewish community on the UAE territory. However, now the new concerns raised about the security situation for Israelis in the region have created a new tension in the relations between the two countries.