Since then, the UAE and Israel have maintained bilateral dialogue through official visits, meetings and engagement between government institutions. Cooperation has developed across a range of areas, including economic and commercial relations, tourism, innovation, cultural exchange and people-to-people engagement.
The two countries continue to maintain diplomatic relations and cooperation on matters of mutual interest, supported by ongoing engagement between their respective governments and institutions.
The United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel have developed a significant economic partnership since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Trade, investment, tourism, innovation, and connectivity have become important pillars of the bilateral relationship, creating new opportunities for businesses and institutions in both countries.
Bilateral merchandise trade has expanded substantially since 2020. In 2025, trade in goods reached $3.209 billion, broadly stable compared with $3.254 billion in 2024. UAE-to-Israel trade accounted for approximately 80% of total merchandise trade, while Israeli exports to the UAE represented approximately 20%.
The composition of trade reflects the complementary nature of the two economies. In 2025, Israeli exports to the UAE were concentrated in precious stones and metals, optical, medical and precision instruments, and electrical machinery and equipment, which together accounted for approximately 77% of Israeli exports to the UAE. UAE exports to Israel were more diversified, led by precious stones and metals and electrical machinery and equipment, alongside cereals, iron and steel, mineral fuels, mechanical equipment, plastics, and other industrial and consumer products.
The UAE-Israel Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) provides an important framework for further strengthening economic ties. The agreement supports trade liberalization, reduces barriers to goods and services, and provides a more predictable environment for companies and investors seeking to operate across the two markets.
Air connectivity is another important enabler of bilateral economic relations. Direct flights between the UAE and Israel facilitate business travel, tourism, commercial engagement, and people-to-people exchange. Direct flight frequencies have reached a record of 136 flights per week, with approximately 120 weekly flights during normal operating periods. Passenger traffic between the two countries reached approximately 1.53 million passengers in 2025, compared with around 892,000 in 2024, an increase of approximately 71.3%.
Recent economic highlights include:
- Cumulative bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately $14.53 billion between September 2020 and May 2026.
- Trade during January-May 2026 reached approximately $1.243 billion, around 1% higher year-on-year.
- Major areas of merchandise trade include precious stones and metals, electrical machinery, optical and medical instruments, cereals, iron and steel, mineral fuels, mechanical equipment, and other industrial products.
- Economic engagement extends beyond merchandise trade to areas including technology and innovation, logistics, health, energy, food security, tourism, and regional connectivity.
The UAE and Israel continue to develop a forward-looking economic relationship focused on facilitating trade, strengthening private-sector engagement, and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation and investment across sectors of mutual interest.
Initiatives have included cooperation in film and television, documentary heritage and education, as well as academic partnerships in research and technology. Israel’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai provided another platform for cultural exchange and engagement, while the first performance of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in the UAE, held in Abu Dhabi in 2022, marked a notable cultural milestone.
Sports have also provided opportunities for people-to-people engagement. The UAE and Israeli football associations established cooperation in areas including friendly matches, workshops and professional exchange, while initiatives such as the Abraham Accords Padel Games at Expo 2020 Dubai brought participants from both countries together through sport.
The UAE Embassy in Israel also supports intercultural and interfaith engagement through initiatives that bring together government officials, diplomats, community leaders and representatives of different faiths and backgrounds. These have included Ramadan Majlis and Iftar gatherings, including the Embassy’s fourth Iftar in 2026.
Through these initiatives, cultural cooperation continues to provide opportunities for dialogue, exchange and greater mutual understanding between the peoples and institutions of the UAE and Israel.
This interactive page provides Emirati travelers with personalized travel guidance and essential entry requirements based on their selected destination. Through a user-friendly map interface, travelers can quickly access important information, understand destination-specific regulations and requirements, and prepare confidently for their international journey.
- View destination-specific visa and entry requirements.
- Access the latest travel guidance and important alerts.
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This interactive page provides non-UAE citizens with clear and accessible information about visa requirements for entering the United Arab Emirates. Users can search for their country or nationality and quickly determine whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or are required to obtain a visa before travelling, helping them plan their visit and complete the necessary arrangements in advance.
- Search for visa information by country or nationality.
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