UAE Becomes the Top Destination for Israeli Travelers Amid Growing Alliance with Tel Aviv
How Dubai's Popularity Among Israelis Is Rising Due to Safety, Convenience, and Political Ties
Watan-Hebrew media has revealed with statistics that the United Arab Emirates has become the preferred international travel destination for Israelis, amid the alliance between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv and the protection provided by Emirati authorities against any international prosecutions.
The Israeli news site Mako, affiliated with Channel 12, reported that Dubai is the top winter destination for Israelis, accounting for more than 10% of all departing flights from Ben Gurion Airport last month.
Athens, Rome, Budapest, and New York followed in the rankings. Meanwhile, as Passover approaches, airports are expected to experience long queues due to increased travel activity.
Ben Gurion Airport Passenger Statistics
According to statistics, Ben Gurion Airport handled approximately 34,900 passengers on Tuesday, across 228 international flights (both arrivals and departures).
- 17,200 passengers departed on international flights.
- 17,700 passengers entered Israel.
This figure is relatively low compared to previous days, as daily passenger numbers recently exceeded 40,000.
Increase in Flights and UAE Travel Trends
In recent weeks, many foreign airlines resumed operations in Israel, and activity at Ben Gurion Airport is expected to surge further as Passover nears.
Israeli Airports Authority statistics from January show that around 116,000 Israelis traveled to the UAE, representing over 10% of all flights from Ben Gurion Airport.
The report did not specify how many stayed in Dubai versus those who continued to other destinations.
Top Travel Destinations for Israelis
After Dubai, the most popular destinations for Israelis were:
- Athens
- Paris
- Larnaca
- Budapest
New York ranked ninth, recording a 17% decline compared to January last year, making it the only top 15 destination to see a drop in travelers.
UAE: A Safe Haven for Israeli Travelers, Including Soldiers
The UAE has become a favored destination for Israelis, including Israeli occupation soldiers, as Emirati authorities continue to welcome them despite their involvement in crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.
According to The New York Times, Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi is the only fully operational Israeli embassy in the Arab world since the start of the war on Gaza.
Reports also indicate that the UAE maintained an air bridge with Israel during its military operations in Gaza. The low-cost carrier FlyDubai operated eight daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, with a similar number in the opposite direction.
Additionally, Emirates Airlines expanded its flight schedule between Dubai and Tel Aviv, adding one daily flight as of late October.
Channel 12 further reported that many Israelis prefer traveling to the UAE due to the “non-hostile atmosphere and a sense of security.” A travel industry official, Oren Cohen, was quoted as saying:
“Dubai and Abu Dhabi warmly welcome Israeli tourists and are considered very safe.”
