New Country to Join Abraham Accords Within Months

Israel's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Shelley, said Tuesday in an interview with Kan Reshet Bet that another country is expected to join the Abraham Accords in the coming months, and suggested that Kuwait could be the next signatory.

"Within a few months, another country will join the Abraham Accords. I estimate we're talking about within four to six months," the ambassador said. "Maybe we'll have a surprise, I know everyone is working on it. I think that in terms of analysis, from what I'm learning from the academic world, the Kuwaitis are also starting to understand that something has happened, and perhaps they'll be the next swallow."

The Israeli ambassador also addressed reports about a warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly received from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed before the October 7 massacre, denying the accounts of a conversation between the two leaders. Shelley noted that he served as director-general of the Prime Minister's Office at the time. "I was there during those days, I don't remember any warning or any discussion about it. But who am I, the little guy who sat in several cabinets? I never heard this thing, not in March, not in April, not in May, not in June," he said.

Asked whether the reports and extensive public discussion on the matter affected relations between Israel and the UAE, Shelley said "in my opinion it passed as if it never happened. I think any statement by the Emiratis on this subject would have disrupted the matter for all sides. They said what they said, and I think whoever reads between the lines understands what happened. So it's hard to interpret the unexpressed. The most important thing is that we're on an upward trajectory. I see it in our relations, I see it in visits, some of which are reported and some not, because naturally our region is quite sensitive."