New Delhi: Israel has ordered the evacuation of most of the employees and their families posted at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) diplomatic mission. This decision has been taken after the National Security Council (NSC) issued a travel warning for Israelis living in the Gulf. The NSC quoted intelligence as saying that terrorist groups including Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and global jihadist groups have intensified efforts to target Israelis and Jews in the UAE. Apart from this, tensions have increased between the two countries over an ‘action’ of the Israeli ambassador. The UAE had expressed displeasure with Tel Aviv over the ambassador and demanded his recall.
Why is Israel concerned for its citizens in UAE?
The NSC said in a statement, “We are insisting on this travel warning because we know that terrorist organizations (Iranian, Hamas, Hezbollah and Global Jihad) are increasing their efforts to harm Israel.” Israeli officials have blamed recent military operations against Iran and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza for the increased threat. Officials have expressed concern that these factors could prompt retaliatory strikes.
Why has threat level increased for Israeli citizens?
Security officials believe that anti-Israel provocations and the situation after the attack on Iran have increased the threat to Israeli citizens and their representatives abroad. The Israeli and UAE foreign ministries have not yet commented on the evacuation of Israeli mission staff.
When were UAE-Israel relations established?
The relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates were normalized in 2020 through the US-brokered Abraham Accords led by Donald Trump. This was the first such agreement between Israel and an Arab country. Earlier, like other Arab countries, the UAE did not recognize Israel. Diplomatic contacts between the two were largely informal and limited. This normalization of relations between the two countries was historic, followed by the exchange of ambassadors, establishment of embassies and cooperation in various fields including trade, tourism and security. Since then, the activism of the Israeli and Jewish community has increased in the UAE.
Why is UAE furious at Israeli ambassador?
The recent tension between Israel and the UAE began over Israeli ambassador Yossi Shelly, when Abu Dhabi expressed strong displeasure over one of his actions. Israeli media outlet Channel 12 News reported that Shelly crossed the red line in Abu Dhabi. According to the report, Shelly went to a bar with friends in Abu Dhabi where he behaved indecently. The report quoted the official as saying that he behaved indecently with women, which is very wrong. When the Emirati government came to know about the incident, it expressed deep displeasure with Israel in this regard. The incident was kept away from the media for several months and it is not clear whether any document of this exists or not.
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