UAE acquires land for first permanent embassy in Israel

HERZLIYA: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finalized the purchase of land in Israel to construct its first permanent embassy, marking a significant step forward in the growing diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

According to Israeli media reports, the deal concludes a four-year search for a suitable site, initiated at the request of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and coordinated with the Herzliya Municipality.

The embassy will be built in Herzliya, a high-profile coastal city north of Tel Aviv that already hosts several foreign diplomatic missions — reflecting the UAE’s intent to maintain a lasting and visible presence in Israel.

The acquisition, valued at tens of millions of shekels, was completed in coordination with the Israel Land Authority and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported.

This major investment underscores the UAE’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties that have strengthened since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020 — a landmark agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE.

Since the accords, cooperation between the two countries has expanded across multiple sectors, including trade, tourism, technology, and defense.

The UAE had earlier established a temporary embassy in Tel Aviv in 2021, while Israel opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi the same year.