Israel sent anti-aircraft defense systems and personnel to the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran, the American ambassador to Israel said on Tuesday.
“Can I say a word of appreciation, deep appreciation and deep admiration for the United Arab Emirates?” said Mike Huckabee during a conference at Tel Aviv University.
“They were the first signatories of the Abraham Accords (normalization agreements with Israel, Editor’s note) and look at the benefits they have gained from it. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries (…) How did this happen? Because of the extraordinary relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Israel,” he said.
The UAE has been targeted almost daily by Iran during the Middle East war, which began on February 28 with the joint US and Israeli attack on Tehran.
According to Emirati Minister for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy, interviewed on April 19 by the American TV channel ABC, the country was targeted by more than 2,800 missiles and drones during the first 40 days of the war.
A ceasefire came into effect last month, but Abu Dhabi has reported several missile and drone attacks from Iran since then.
The UAE, which has significant oil reserves, is one of the main allies of the United States in the region and is among the Arab countries that have normalized their relations with Israel following agreements signed during the first term of American President Donald Trump in 2020.
