Eli Abadie, who previously served as the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Council of the Emirates and the Gulf Jewish Communities Association, described the UAE as one of the safest places in the world for Jews.
He highlighted the peaceful conditions Jews experience in the UAE, noting the absence of protests against the ongoing violence in Gaza. In comparison, Abadie expressed his concerns about the situation in New York, where demonstrations are more frequent.
In an interview with the Hebrew news outlet “Arutz Sheva,” Abadie discussed the current state of the Jewish community in the UAE, especially in light of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has stretched over 11 months and caused the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians.
Reflecting on the community’s growth, Abadie mentioned that after the Abraham Accords, which established formal ties between Israel and the UAE, the Jewish community started flourishing. “A few years ago, we began building a vibrant and expanding community,” he said.
When Abadie first arrived in the UAE, the Jewish population was around 200, but since then, it has grown to more than 1,500. Jewish businesses, kosher restaurants, and synagogues have been established, all with open government support. Abadie also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Emirati people.
However, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has altered the situation. “Many Israelis returned home to Israel, and the government, out of concern for the Jewish community’s safety, advised us to keep a low profile to avoid any potential hostility, whether from tourists or those with negative feelings toward Jews,” he explained.
Abadie stressed that these precautions were taken to ensure the community’s safety and were not meant to discriminate. He reiterated that “the UAE is among the safest countries for Jews globally, possibly second or third in terms of safety.” He also acknowledged that the government takes the protection of all its citizens, including Jews, seriously, aiming to prevent any incidents that could affect them.
As part of these safety measures, Jews in the UAE have been advised to avoid wearing visibly Jewish symbols like kippahs and have ceased gathering for prayers in synagogues.
Although the situation is not ideal, Abadie acknowledged that “the Jewish community in the UAE continues to live and work, albeit with more caution.”
He praised the Abraham Accords as a historic achievement, stating, “The Abraham Accords have been a groundbreaking step for Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. They have laid the foundation for future peace with more Arab nations.” He also expressed optimism that, despite the ongoing conflict, the accords remain functional and that there is hope for expanding these agreements after the war ends.
