ABU DHABI: Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday began his first visit to the United Arab Emirates, the latest high-profile diplomatic visit since the countries normalized relations.
This follows last month's visit by Naftali Bennett, the first by an Israeli prime minister. The presidential office said Herzog, traveling with the first lady, arrived in the UAE capital around 0800 GMT, where she met with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
"The beginning of the first visit by an Israeli President to the UAE," Herzog tweeted upon arrival. “We are pleased and deeply impressed by the warm welcome to Abu Dhabi.” The visit comes nearly 16 months after the wealthy Gulf nation forged diplomatic ties with Israel, becoming the third Arab nation to do so after Egypt and Jordan.
The official Emirati news agency WAM said Herzog also met with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "Sheikh Mohammed led them to the podium and the national anthems of both countries were played while 21 rounds of artillery were fired to welcome them," the statement said.