Leading Rabbi Declares UAE as a Global Safe Haven for Jews
Eli Abadie, the former Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Council of the Emirates and the Gulf Jewish Communities Association, referred to the UAE as one of the safest countries globally for Jews.
He emphasized that Jews in the UAE experience a “very peaceful environment,” noting the absence of protests condemning the violent actions in Gaza. In contrast, he expressed concern over the situation of the Jewish community in New York, where demonstrations are more common.
Abadie spoke to the Hebrew news channel “Arutz Sheva,” discussing the status of the Jewish community in the UAE amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has lasted 11 months and resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths.
He noted that the Jewish community in the UAE has evolved, stating that “a few years ago, following the Abraham Accords, which formalized relations between the UAE and Israel, we built a thriving and expanding community.”
Rabbi Abadie shared that when he first arrived, there were around 200 Jews living in the UAE, but the community grew to over 1,500. He mentioned that Jewish businesses, kosher restaurants, and synagogues were established, and all activities were carried out openly with the government’s support. He praised the welcoming attitude of the Emirati people.
He noted that the situation changed with the outbreak of the Gaza war. “Many Israelis returned to Israel, and the government, concerned about the safety of the Jewish community, asked us to maintain a lower profile to avoid provoking any potential hostility, whether from tourists or others who may have animosity toward the Jewish people.”
Rabbi Abadie stressed that these measures were implemented solely for the protection of the Jewish community, not as a means of discrimination. He reiterated that “the UAE is among the safest countries in the world for Jews, potentially the second or third safest globally.” He noted that the government is highly attentive to the safety of all its citizens, including Jews, and is dedicated to avoiding any incidents that could affect the community.
As part of the security measures, Rabbi Abadie explained that Jews in the UAE avoid wearing kippahs or other visible signs of their faith and have even stopped gathering for prayer in synagogues.
Despite these restrictions, he noted that while the situation isn’t ideal, “the Jewish community in the UAE continues to live, work, and fulfill its responsibilities, though with greater caution.”
Rabbi Abadie regards the Abraham Accords as a pivotal development for the region, asserting, “The Abraham Accords are a monumental achievement for Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.
They represent a crucial step toward establishing peace with additional Arab countries.” He added, “Despite the current war, the accords remain operational and effective, and we look forward to enhancing and broadening the agreements once the conflict is over.”
