Shiekh Mohammed Bin Zayed
Shiekh Mohammed Bin ZayedReuters

A Channel 12 report claims that The United Arab Emirates announced its intentions to halt purchases of defense systems from Israel due to actions and remarks by Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

According to the report by Channel 12, the systems that were purchased by the UEA are considered significant. Most are sensitive and classified. The background to this decision, according to Israeli sources, is the government's conduct over the past month and a half, including Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount, riots in the Arab town of Huwara, and remarks by Smotrich regarding "erasing Huwara."

Emirati crown prince Shiekh Mohammed Bin Zayed told Israeli sources: "As long as we are unsure that Prime Minister Netanyahu has a government that he can control, we can not work together."

The Prime Minister's office responded to the report: "The report is baseless, Israel and the UAE are conducting rich diplomatic ties in all areas, including today."

The Foreign Ministry responded: "Despite the publication, the connections between Israel and the UAE are strong and firm. Proof of this, among other things, is the agreement that was recently reached regarding the wording of the import tax agreement, which will bring a free trade deal between the countries and will expand the economic, business, and diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE."

National Unity Party chairman MK Benny Gantz called on Netanyahu to fire Ben-Gvir and Smotrich: "Trojan horses have infiltrated the holy of holies of Israel's security, and the damage is already felt. I call on Netanyahu, don't destroy what was built by yourself as well, through hard work. Remove Smotrich's hands from the Ministry of Defense, and fire the pyromaniac whos responsible for national security. Israel's strategic interests in the region are more important than politics."