Trade Between UAE and Israel Sees Notable Growth, Official Data Shows
Israeli official statistics have revealed an increase in trade exchange between the UAE and Israel over the past year, despite Israel’s ongoing genocidal war against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.
Israeli Consul General in Dubai, Liron Zaslansky, stated that trade relations between Abu Dhabi and Israel are “growing,” noting that they closed the year 2024 with a trade volume of $3.24 billion, excluding software and services.
Zaslansky mentioned that this figure represents an 11% increase in trade balance between Israel and the UAE compared to the previous year. She emphasized that the relationship between the two countries remains strong, even if it operates behind the scenes.
At the same time, the Israeli diplomat expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that tourism between Abu Dhabi and Israel remains one-sided, with travel occurring mainly from Israel to the UAE. This, she said, reflects the widespread public rejection of normalization with Israel within the UAE.
Zaslansky stated that tourism between the two nations continues to be one-sided, with travel from the UAE to Israel being largely business-oriented.
Regarding the presence of Israelis in the UAE, Zaslansky asserted that “the leadership in the UAE 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 tried to build a sense of familiarity, organizing Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremonies. We have also hosted Jewish-American delegations, such as the American Jewish Committee. We see ourselves as a bridge to the Jewish world, not just Israel.”
She continued, “Jewish life has faced challenges, but the community feels cared for and protected. If you look at the statements of Emirati officials following the assassination of Rabbi Tzvi, they condemned it as a crime against the UAE.”
Regarding the weak public interest from Emiratis in Israel, Zaslansky said she is working to build relations between the two societies. “We are trying to introduce the local population to Israeli innovation and are sending delegations to economic events in Tel Aviv in March so they can experience Israel firsthand,” she said.
Abu Dhabi signed a normalization agreement with Israel in September 2020 under U.S. mediation. The agreement includes cooperation in investment, defense, cybersecurity, financial technology, energy, and agricultural technology.
The UAE authorities have opened their doors widely to Israeli arms manufacturers, whose weapons have played a major role in killing Palestinians in Gaza. These companies showcased their products at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defense and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21, 2025.
The Israeli pavilion at IDEX featured 40 Israeli arms manufacturers, including Israel Aerospace Industries, IMI Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems. These companies unveiled new and advanced weapons, some of which had already been tested in the war on Gaza.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, three of the Israeli companies participating in the exhibition, ranked among the world’s top 100 arms manufacturers in 2023, recorded record sales of $13.6 billion that year, driven by Israel’s war on Gaza.
Despite widespread destruction and over 160,000 martyrs and injured Palestinians, Abu Dhabi has not cut ties with Israel, even partially. Instead, reports indicate that trade between the two sides increased during the war period between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025.
