Israel is pulling most diplomatic staff from the United Arab Emirates, Israeli media reported Thursday, after the National Security Council warned of threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups.
“We are emphasizing this travel warning given our understanding that terrorist organizations (the Iranians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Global Jihad) are increasing their efforts to harm Israel,” the NSC said in its updated guidance, which reiterated a level-3 travel alert for the UAE.
The council linked the threat to what it called revenge motives following Israel’s June military operation against Iran, as well as broader anti-Israel incitement. It advised Israelis to avoid non-essential travel and warned of possible attacks especially around Jewish holidays and Shabbat.
There was no official confirmation from the Israeli foreign ministry, but media outlets said the decision to withdraw diplomatic personnel followed internal assessments of the growing threat environment.
While the NSC did not mention a specific plot, it noted that hostile actors have historically focused operations in nearby countries. The UAE, which formalized ties with Israel under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, hosts a growing Israeli and Jewish community.
In a separate case earlier this year, three men were sentenced to death in the UAE for the November killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, a rare act of political violence in a country often seen as one of the region’s most secure.
The NSC advised Israelis abroad to remain alert, avoid identifying symbols in public, and coordinate closely with local authorities if they suspect any danger.
