Netanyahu Warns of Growing Threat to Israelis Abroad as Travel to UAE and Abraham Accords Countries Expands

The growing movement of Israeli citizens to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries that have established diplomatic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords is facing renewed security concerns following a serious incident involving an Israel-bound flight from Dubai.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that hostile elements may seek to exploit the increasing presence of Israelis abroad, particularly in countries that have developed closer ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

The warning comes amid heightened concern following an incident on September 30 involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities said the flight was carrying predominantly Israeli passengers when one pilot allegedly attacked the other and the aircraft experienced a dangerous loss of control. The plane eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. 

In his statement following the incident, Netanyahu said Israeli security services were preparing for the possibility of additional threats. He praised passengers and crew members who intervened during the emergency and helped prevent what could have become a major disaster. 

The incident has placed renewed attention on the dramatic increase in travel between Israel and the UAE since the two countries normalized relations in 2020.

The UAE and Israel formally established diplomatic relations on September 15, 2020, under the framework of the Abraham Accords. Bahrain also joined the normalization process, while Morocco subsequently established relations with Israel. The agreements opened the way for direct flights, tourism, business, investment and wider people-to-people exchanges. 

The scale of the travel relationship with the UAE has grown significantly. According to UAE government figures, approximately 1.53 million passengers travelled between the UAE and Israel in 2025, compared with about 892,000 in 2024—an increase of approximately 71 percent. Direct air connectivity has at times reached 136 flights per week. 

Israeli government figures have also previously highlighted the rapid growth in tourism following the Abraham Accords, reporting more than one million Israeli tourists visiting the UAE since the agreements were signed. 

Dubai, in particular, has become one of the most popular destinations for Israeli travellers. Reuters reported that the UAE accounted for approximately 1.5 million passengers, or 8.3 percent of traffic through Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in 2025. During the first eight months of 2026, about 837,000 passengers travelled between Israel and the UAE despite regional security disruptions. 

However, the growing movement of Israelis across the region has also created new security considerations.

Israel's National Security Council has repeatedly warned citizens about potential threats against Israelis and Jewish communities abroad, including attempts by terrorist organizations and individual attackers. Israeli authorities have urged citizens travelling overseas to monitor official travel advisories and exercise increased caution. 

The latest aviation incident has therefore intensified the debate over the security implications of increased Israeli mobility following the Abraham Accords.

While the circumstances and motive behind the Flydubai incident remain under investigation, Israeli officials have examined whether it could have been an intentional attack targeting Israelis or an attempt to undermine the relationship between Israel and the UAE. The Guardian reported that Israeli authorities were investigating the possibility of terrorism, while noting that the motive had not yet been conclusively established. 

Despite the security concerns, the UAE-Israel relationship has continued to expand in tourism, commerce and diplomatic engagement. Recent figures from the UAE indicate that cumulative bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately $14.53 billion between September 2020 and May 2026. 

The latest incident, however, serves as a reminder that the expansion of travel and diplomatic ties can also bring new security challenges, particularly when large numbers of Israeli citizens are travelling outside Israel.

For Netanyahu and Israeli security officials, the priority remains protecting Israelis wherever they are, while maintaining the increasingly significant relationships established through the Abraham Accords.