Despite journey warning, Israel says diplomatic missions in UAE stay open: What to know

Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated on Friday that its diplomatic missions within the United Arab Emirates stay open after a safety warning was issued Thursday over security threats to Israelis touring within the nation.  

What occurred: In an announcement revealed Friday, the ministry stated its embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai proceed to function in coordination with native authorities and that Israeli diplomats are receiving safety safety.  

The missions will shut for the Jewish vacation of Tisha B’Av over the weekend, however are set to reopen usually on Monday.  

The announcement got here only a day after a safety warning was issued on Thursday by Israel’s National Security Council (NSC), which warned that “terrorist organizations (the Iranians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Global Jihad) are increasing their efforts to harm Israel.” 

“The NSC is reiterating the possibility that they will try to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in the UAE, especially on Jewish holidays and Shabbat,” the assertion learn.  

The NSC strongly suggested in opposition to nonessential journey and warned those that are touring to the UAE to be additional vigilant, keep away from displaying Israeli and Jewish symbols in public and keep away from massive gatherings of Israelis. 

On Thursday, Hebrew media reported that Israel was evacuating most of its diplomatic employees, together with Israel’s ambassador to the UAE, Yossi Shelley.  

Al-Monitor has reached out to the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s Foreign Ministry for remark.  

In 2024, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli Moldovan rabbi and emissary to the UAE, was discovered murdered in Dubai. Israeli officers labeled the killing an “antisemitic act of terror,” and Emirati authorities arrested three Uzbek nationals who later have been sentenced to dying. In early 2025, Israel’s NSC stated that “Iranian terrorist elements attempted to lure an Israeli businessman to the United Arab Emirates with the intention of harming him,” and inspired Israeli residents overseas to be vigilant. 

Background: The warning and reported evacuation follows reviews from Israeli media about Shelley’s alleged controversial habits, as Al-Monitor’s Rina Bassist reported.  

On Wednesday, Israeli media reported that Emirati authorities had lodged an unofficial criticism with the Israeli authorities over Shelley’s habits following an incident at a Dubai bar during which he allegedly acted in an “undignified” method. While particulars stay scant, Israel’s Channel 12 stated Shelley was accompanied by a number of Israeli women and men on the time and that his personal bodyguards reported the incident, prompting backlash from Emirati officers. 

Despite the reviews, Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday acknowledged Shelley shouldn’t be being recalled to Israel, saying any such transfer “was not discussed and is not on the table.”

Know extra: Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which noticed the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan normalize ties with Israel, the UAE has been seen as a pleasant Arab neighbor to Israel. Amid the conflict in Gaza, relations between the 2 nations have cooled, with the UAE scaling again public engagement with Israel and doubling down on its humanitarian assist in Gaza.