Over the years, I have had the privilege of visiting many countries around the world as part of my public, media, and diplomatic activities. Yet my first visit to the United Arab Emirates was truly exceptional and left a profound impression.
It was an opportunity to see firsthand how a relatively young country had, within a few decades, transformed itself into an economic, technological, and tourism powerhouse while maintaining stability, personal security, and respect for the individual.
As president of the Israel Radio Communications Association, I had the honor, together with my wife, of attending a festive dinner with Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, son of the Ruler of Sharjah and president of the UAE’s communications association, along with several other senior and distinguished figures.
The welcome was warm and moving. From the very first moment, there was a clear sense of respect and appreciation for the guests from Israel.
The conversations around a table laden with meats and salads were open, substantive, and friendly. Many of those present expressed genuine interest in Israel, its technological achievements, and its ability to address complex challenges in security, the economy, and innovation.
It was clear that beyond the headlines and formal agreements, there was also a genuine willingness to deepen ties between the two peoples and build bridges of cooperation.
One of the things that impressed me most was the country’s efficiency. From the moment we entered the UAE, it was apparent that its public service systems operated swiftly and professionally. Entry procedures were brief, orderly, and courteous.
Everywhere we visited, including hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and tourist attractions, we encountered professional, polite, and welcoming service.
The United Arab Emirates invests enormous resources in developing advanced infrastructure. Its modern highways, efficient transportation systems, innovative business centers, and impressive architecture reflect long-term vision and professional management.
A model of efficiency and modern governance
The country is not content with its present achievements. It is planning decades ahead in fields such as artificial intelligence, energy, education, and health care.
Another area that stood out was personal security. Residents and visitors alike enjoy an exceptionally strong sense of safety. Crime rates are low, and law enforcement is firm and effective.
Penalties for serious offenses are severe, and in many cases foreign nationals convicted of crimes are deported. At the same time, an advanced technological network of cameras and monitoring systems helps law enforcement authorities maintain public order and deter criminal activity.
Technology is integrated into nearly every aspect of daily life. Digital systems provide rapid access to government services, while innovative projects are transforming the country’s cities.
This approach reflects a belief that innovation is not a luxury but an essential condition for growth and success.
No discussion of a visit to the United Arab Emirates would be complete without acknowledging the historic importance of the Abraham Accords. These agreements did more than open air routes and commercial channels.
They created a new reality in the Middle East. They demonstrated that Israel and Arab countries can cooperate on the basis of shared interests, mutual respect, and a desire to build a better future for their citizens.
In my conversations with senior officials and public figures in the Emirates, I repeatedly heard a clear message: There is a strong desire to expand cooperation in the fields of economics, science, medicine, communications, and technology.
Many viewed Israel as a valuable partner and expressed hope that relations would continue to deepen despite the region’s challenges.
The visit left me with a sense of optimism. It showed that a different reality can be built in the Middle East, one based on cooperation rather than confrontation, development rather than stagnation, and hope rather than suspicion.
The United Arab Emirates is an example of a country that has successfully combined tradition with progress, national identity with international openness, and stability with a constant drive for renewal.
Since that first visit, and the additional visits that followed, I have carried with me warm memories of the gracious hospitality, the fascinating encounters, and the feeling that a new chapter had opened in relations between our peoples.
The more human, economic, and cultural ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates deepen, the stronger the foundations of peace and stability will become throughout the region.
The writer is CEO of Radios 100FM, an honorary consul and deputy dean of the Consular Diplomatic Corps, president of the Israel Radio Communications Association, and a former Israel Army Radio monitor and NBC News television correspondent.