Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke Friday with United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, in his first call with the de facto ruler of the Gulf kingdom since becoming prime minister.
Bennett called bin Zayed to congratulate him on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha and to discuss the burgeoning ties between the two countries, according to a statement from Bennett’s office.
“The prime minister thanked the crown prince for opening an embassy in Israel and for hosting the official visit of Foreign Minister Yair Lapid,” the statement said.
Bennett also noted the importance of the strategic relations between Israel and the UAE on a wide range of issues, saying that the attitude of the UAE toward Israel “was an important change and was an inspiration to other countries and leaders in the region.”
“The two agreed to be in contact and meet in the future,” the statement said.
The UAE confirmed the conversation and said that the two leaders “discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them, in addition to a number of issues. Regional and international interests.”
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also congratulated His Excellency on assuming the position of Prime Minister of Israel, expressing his aspiration to work together for peace, stability and development for the benefit of the region and all its peoples and the world at large,” the statement said.
Last month Lapid traveled to the UAE to open Israel’s embassy there, the first official visit by an Israeli minister to the Gulf state.
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