The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recorded the highest number of visits by Israeli officers and soldiers over the past year, amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and Lebanon, according to Hebrew media reports.
The UAE has become the preferred destination for Israeli officers and soldiers, with Dubai ranking first among cities they favor for travel during the winter season—surpassing major European and American destinations such as Athens, Rome, Budapest, and New York.
According to the Hebrew news website Mako, approximately 116,000 Israelis have traveled to the UAE, accounting for over 10% of all departing flights from Ben Gurion Airport in recent months.
Surge in Israeli Travel to the UAE
Statistics indicate that on Tuesday alone, Ben Gurion Airport processed around 34,900 travelers across 228 international flights, including both arrivals and departures. Around 17,200 passengers left on international flights, while 17,700 entered the occupied territories.
This number is relatively lower than previous days, as daily passenger figures recently exceeded 40,000.
Although the Mako report did not specify how many Israelis remained in the UAE versus those who used it as a transit stop, the statistics reflect a massive influx of Israeli visitors—including army officers and soldiers—who view Abu Dhabi as a safe haven, despite their involvement in war crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese civilians.
UAE’s Political and Logistical Support for Israeli Visitors
The Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi remains the only fully operational Israeli diplomatic mission in the Arab world since the start of Israel’s latest aggression on Gaza. Meanwhile, other regional countries have minimized their diplomatic ties or even partially cut relations with the occupation due to its ongoing massacres.
Beyond political facilitation, the UAE offers major logistical advantages to Israeli travelers. The low-cost airline FlyDubai operates eight daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a schedule mirrored by Emirates Airlines, which recently added an additional daily flight starting in late October 2024.
Strategic Coordination Between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv
Analysts suggest that the significant flow of Israelis—particularly soldiers—into the UAE underscores the high level of coordination between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. Israeli visitors find the UAE a safe and comfortable environment, free from pressures or threats, and offering unprecedented protection.
Despite the murder of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan in Abu Dhabi—a case that temporarily raised concerns among Israelis—it had no impact on the continuous influx of Israeli travelers. This reinforces the perception that the UAE has become both a key tourism and political hub for Israelis, regardless of the war crimes committed by the Israeli military in Gaza and Lebanon.
Reports indicate that during Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the UAE maintained an aerial bridge with the occupation. FlyDubai continued operating eight daily flights each way between Dubai and Tel Aviv, with Emirates Airlines expanding its services in parallel.
UAE: A Safe Haven for Israeli Tourists and Soldiers
According to Israel’s Channel 12, a significant number of Israelis prefer traveling to the UAE, citing a “non-hostile atmosphere and a sense of security.”
The channel quoted Oren Cohen, an executive at a tourism company, stating:
“Dubai and Abu Dhabi embrace Israeli tourists and are considered among the safest destinations for them.”
The UAE’s continued collaboration with Israel, despite its military atrocities, raises serious concerns about its role in facilitating Israeli war criminals and providing them with a refuge while Palestinians and Lebanese civilians face relentless aggression.
