Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will shorten his trip to the Gulf of Persia from three days to three hours, due to the rise in coronavirus infections and the nationwide lockout, which is set to be extended for another week.
The visit is Netanyahu’s first public trip to the Gulf since Israel’s normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were signed in September.
Benjamin Netanyahu at reception for FlyDubai’s first commercial flight from Abu Dhabi
(Photo: GPO)
The original tour included a three-day visit to Abu Dhabi at UAE, Dubai as well as Bahrain. Now, however, Netanyahu only visited Abu Dhabi in a three-hour drive.
During the visit, Netanyahu planned to meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at his palace.
A source familiar with the details of the trip said the trip had been postponed several times and another delay was impossible due to political and regional issues that the two leaders need to discuss.
Bin Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan
(Photo: AP)
Ahead of the trip, a 40-member delegation is expected to leave for Abu Dhabi in the coming days, 90% of whom are security guards.
The source added that an offer for the group’s air transport decision was issued for Israeli airlines last week despite the lockout.
The source also said the group’s flight could be delayed due to the rise in infections and the apparent expansion.