A historic visit by the President of Israel to the United Arab Emirates began this morning with the landing of President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal in Abu Dhabi. The couple were received by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The President’s plane flew over Saudi Arabia en route to the Emirates. The pilot announced to the passengers over the public address system: “We are now directly over Saudi Arabia. We are making history! We will soon be flying over the capital.”
Video: Roi Avraham (GPO) / Sound: Ben Peretz (GPO)
The president entered the cockpit, looked out over the Saudi landscape and said: “This is undoubtedly a very moving moment.”
Upon their arrival in the United Arab Emirates, the president and his wife received a ceremonial welcome.
Herzog then held a working meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed led the Emirati delegation at the White House signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.
Expressing his gratitude for the UAE’s leading role in securing Middle East peace, the Israeli President said: “This is the first visit by a President of the State of Israel to the UAE. The warm welcome in Abu Dhabi by the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs left us pleased and deeply moved.”
