President Isaac Herzog called for strengthening ties with the UAE during his speech at a national memorial ceremony for Israel’s deceased presidents and prime ministers on Sunday.
The service was held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, and specifically honored late prime ministers Shimon Peres and Moshe Sharett.
“There are countless countries where, alongside disagreements, Israel has extensive and significant ties,” Herzog said. “We must not forsake our ties. We must not burn our bridges.”
His statements come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s strikes on Hamas’s leadership in Qatar last week.
The UAE, which is a close US ally and also the most prominent Arab state to normalize ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, summoned the deputy Israeli ambassador on Friday over the attack and subsequent remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing them as hostile.
Qatar’s stability is an “inseparable part of the security and stability of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE has said in the past.
Arab Islamic leaders are expected to meet in Doha on Monday to rally support for Qatar.
I<strong>srael to continue defending itself with all tools available</strong>
Nevertheless, Herzog said, Israel is fighting a hostility it has never before faced, and therefore must use “all tools, on all fronts” to combat this.
These remarks seemingly alluded to the Qatar strikes, which have caused tensions in the region but have the support of the majority of the Israeli public.
Beyond expressing gratitude for Israel’s more established allies, specifically the US under President Donald Trump, Herzog also favorably mentioned the “countless other countries with whom, alongside disagreements, sometimes profound disagreements, and even positions I strongly reject, Israel has extensive and significant ties.”
“They are part of the Western-facing world in which we seek to remain, and in these countries there is also a large and important public supportive of Israel, who yearn to hear our voice,” he continued.
The president said it was important for Israel to act diplomatically, using public diplomacy.
“We are not to accept the isolation our enemies seek to impose upon us,” Herzog said.