Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal Herzog flew to Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning for the first official visit to the United Arab Emirates by an Israeli president.

The Herzogs received a royal greeting by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Israeli national anthem was played in the palace in honor of their visit.

Later on Sunday, Herzog and his wife are scheduled to join Israel’s envoy to the UAE Amir Hayek in meeting with local Jewish leaders and residents.

Beginning the first visit by an Israeli president in the United Arab Emirates. We were delighted and deeply moved by the warm welcome in Abu Dhabi by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh @ABZayed. 🇮🇱🤝🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/Mgpqq3vm3h

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) January 30, 2022

“I wish to emphasize that we completely support your security requirements and we condemn in all forms and language any attack on your sovereignty,” Herzog told Sheikh Mohammed, referring to the recent attacks on Abu Dhabi by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Today in Abu Dhabi I met with President of Israel Isaac Herzog. We discussed our bilateral relations, regional issues of mutual interest, and the importance of exploring further opportunities to build bridges of cooperation and friendship between our two nations pic.twitter.com/0xHBcEoyJy

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) January 30, 2022

On Monday, Herzog will open Israel’s national day at Dubai Expo 2020.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)