UAE-Israel Trade Surges Amid Gaza War as Arms Deals Expand
Despite Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, UAE-Israel trade grew by 11% in 2024, reaching $3.24 billion. Abu Dhabi continues arms cooperation with Israeli defense firms, ignoring widespread public opposition.
Watan-Official Israeli statistics revealed an increase in trade between the UAE and Israel over the past year, despite Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.
Israeli Consul General in Dubai, Liron Zaslansky, stated that trade relations between Abu Dhabi and Israel are “growing,” with total trade reaching $3.24 billion in 2024, excluding software and services.
Zaslansky noted that this figure represents an 11% increase in trade volume between Israel and the UAE compared to the previous year, emphasizing that relations between the two countries remain strong, even if they are not always public.
UAE-Israel Tourism Remains One-Sided Amid Public Rejection of Normalization
At the same time, the Israeli diplomat expressed disappointment that tourism between Abu Dhabi and Israel remains one-sided, reflecting widespread public rejection of normalization with Israel within the UAE.
Zaslansky acknowledged that Emirati tourism to Israel is mainly business-oriented, while visits from Israel to the UAE continue.
Regarding the presence of Israelis in the UAE, Zaslansky stated that the Emirati leadership considers the Jewish community an integral part of the country and is committed to its safety.
She added:”We have maintained an open-door policy and fostered a sense of familiarity. We held Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremonies and welcomed Jewish-American delegations, such as the American Jewish Committee. We see ourselves as a link to the global Jewish community, not just Israel.”
She further noted that despite challenges, the Jewish community in the UAE feels protected, highlighting the strong condemnation by Emirati officials following the assassination of Rabbi Tzvi, which was labeled “a crime against the UAE.”
UAE’s Limited Public Engagement with Israel
Zaslansky admitted that public engagement between Emiratis and Israelis remains low, adding that efforts are being made to introduce Emiratis to Israeli innovation. She revealed that Emirati delegations will be sent to economic events in Tel Aviv in March to “experience Israel firsthand.”
UAE-Israel Trade and Defense Cooperation
Abu Dhabi signed a normalization agreement with Israel in September 2020, brokered by the United States, covering cooperation in investment, defense, cybersecurity, fintech, energy, and agricultural technology.
The UAE has also welcomed Israeli arms manufacturers, allowing them to showcase their weapons—many used in Gaza—at the IDEX and NAVDEX defense exhibitions in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21, 2025.
At IDEX 2025, Israel’s defense pavilion hosted 40 Israeli arms companies, including:
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- IMI Systems (Emtan)
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
- Elbit Systems
These companies unveiled new and advanced weapons, some of which were battle-tested in Gaza.
Israeli Arms Sales Surge Amid Gaza War
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), three of the Israeli firms participating in IDEX were among the world’s top 100 arms manufacturers in 2023, with record sales of $13.6 billion, largely driven by Israel’s war on Gaza.
Despite the mass destruction, over 160,000 casualties, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Abu Dhabi has not severed or even partially reduced ties with Israel. Instead, trade between the UAE and Israel grew further during the war, with reports showing an increase in bilateral trade between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025.
