Israel was reportedly evacuating most of its diplomatic mission staff in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday after the National Security Council sharpened its travel warning for Israelis staying in the Gulf country.
“We are emphasizing this travel warning given our understanding that terrorist organizations (the Iranians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Global Jihad) are increasing their efforts to harm Israel,” the NSC said in a statement.
The NSC warned of possible attempts to target Israeli and Jewish individuals in the UAE, especially around Jewish holidays and Shabbat.
There was no immediate comment from the UAE’s foreign ministry.
The Kan public broadcaster said those ordered to leave included Israel’s Ambassador to the UAE Yossi Shelley, who is said to be at risk of losing his post due to complaints of misconduct.
Israel is concerned about retaliatory attacks following its recent military operation against Iran and as it faces mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Yossi Shelley, then-director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, at a Finance Committee meeting at the Knesset on June 5, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
In March, the UAE sentenced three people to death for the murder of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who was killed in November in the Gulf country. Such crimes are rare in the UAE, which is largely viewed as one of the safest places in the Middle East.
The UAE’s Israeli and Jewish community has grown more visible since 2020, when the UAE became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a US-brokered agreement dubbed the Abraham Accords.
