Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets Israel's first lady

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation holds talks with Michal Herzog in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, met Israel's first lady Michal Herzog in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. All photos: WAM

Sheikh Abdullah and Mrs Herzog discussed efforts to enhance co-operation between the UAE and Israel

The meeting was held as both attended a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the Emirates Palace Auditorium

It was the first performance by the orchestra in the region

The UAE and Israel have worked together to strenghten ties since signing the landmark Abraham Accords in September 2020

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, and Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, attended the meeting

Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the UAE's keenness to strengthen the strategic partnership with Israel

Improved relations between the two countries have led to the opening of embassies and significant investment in areas such as the diamond and technology industries

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, held talks in Abu Dhabi with Michal Herzog, Israel's first lady.

They discussed efforts to strengthen the strategic partnership between the nations.

The meeting was held as Sheikh Abdullah and Ms Herzog attended a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the Emirates Palace Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday evening.

Both the meeting and concert were attended by Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President; Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and UAE Permanent Representative to the UN; and Mohamed Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel.

It was the first performance by the orchestra in the region.

The UAE and Israel have worked to bolster links since signing the landmark Abraham Accords in Washington in September 2020.

The UAE and Bahrain were the first Gulf states to enter into formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Since then, improved relations between the countries have led to the opening of embassies as well as significant economic investment in areas such as the diamond and tech industries.

In February last year, the UAE appointed its first ambassador to Israel.

In September, Sheikh Abdullah led a high-level UAE delegation on a visit to Israel to mark the second anniversary of the signing of the Accords.

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