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<\/p>\nAt the height of Israel\u2019s military campaign in Iran this spring, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel\u2019s prime minister, \u201cpaid a secret visit\u201d to the United Arab Emirates to meet its leader, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Israeli leader\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
But hours after the statement was published, the U.A.E. denied that the visit had taken place.<\/p>\n
The back and forth showcased the sensitivities over the relationship. The Emiratis, who bore the brunt of Iran\u2019s attacks on its neighbors throughout the war, have doubled down on an\u00a0alliance with Israel<\/a>, deploying Israeli defense systems and exchanging high-level leadership calls. But public opinion in the Arab world remains largely anti-Israel.<\/p>\n Iran weighed in, too, with a warning. In a social media post, Abbas Araghchi, Iran\u2019s foreign minister, said \u201ccollusion with Israel\u201d is \u201cunforgivable.\u201d He then vowed that those working with Israel \u201cwill be held to account,\u201d but didn\u2019t directly name the Emirates.<\/p>\n