Israeli-Emirati Meeting Discusses Middle East Changes: What About Iran?

Yair Golan, the leader of Israel’s Labor Party, former Knesset member from the Meretz party, and former deputy commander of the Israeli army, revealed that he made a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a post on Platform X, Golan stated, “There was an excellent dialogue on regional strategy, the end of wars, and, of course, the importance of the return of all hostages.” He further added, “The Middle East is changing before our eyes, and the tentacles of the Iranian octopus are being cut or weakened.”

He emphasized, “After the October 7 tragedy, it is essential to establish a strategic alliance that knows how to respond to the head of the octopus as well,” in reference to Iran.

This visit comes amidst rapid developments in the regional landscape, particularly following the collapse of the Syrian regime on Sunday.

Last week, Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, the head of the Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs Committee in the UAE’s National Council, commented, “The heinous murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE serves as a stark reminder of the threats we face.”

In an article published in The Times of Israel, Al Nuaimi stated, “The kidnapping and brutal killing of Rabbi Kogan was not merely an overt act of terrorism against the Jewish community but an assault on the vision of coexistence and the UAE society as a whole.”

Al Nuaimi reaffirmed “the UAE’s steadfast commitment to building a better future that transcends the challenges and pain we currently face. This commitment continues to guide us towards a world where respect, dignity, and safety are universal rights for every individual.”

He further explained that the ongoing regional war has emboldened enemies of peace, giving them a powerful rallying cry. It has also caused a cycle of immense suffering that must, of course, come to an end sooner rather than later. However, he warned that the immediate return of hostages and the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon will not restore the status quo.

At the end of last month, the UAE expressed gratitude to Turkey for its cooperation in apprehending the suspects involved in the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the Gulf state.

Afra Al Hameli, Director of Strategic Communications at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that her country “offered its heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the family of Moldovan-born resident Zvi Kogan, who also held dual Israeli citizenship in addition to his official residency in the UAE.”

In a statement, she added that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs “extended sincere thanks to authorities in the Republic of Turkey for their cooperation in apprehending the perpetrators.”

According to the UAE’s official news agency, citing the Ministry of Interior, the suspects detained in relation to Kogan’s murder “hold Uzbek citizenship and have been identified as Olimpi Tohirovich (28), Mahmudjon Abdulrahim (28), and Azizbek Kamlovich (33).”