United Arab Emirates
vs
Israel
The relation between United Arab Emirates and Israel is EXCELLENT, and they could be called STRATEGIC ALLIES, with an overall score of 9.93 out of 10.
Chance of conflict between both countries: extremely rare
Head to head: who leads each category
United Arab Emirates
11.5M
Leads
Israel
10.1M
United Arab Emirates
$552.3B
Israel
$610.8B
Leads
United Arab Emirates
$22.8B
Israel
$46.5B
Leads
United Arab Emirates
#63
Israel
#5
Leads
About this relationship
Israel and the United Arab Emirates established formal diplomatic relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, a landmark shift that ended decades of Gulf Arab non-recognition of Israel and opened trade, tourism, and defense cooperation.
Economic ties expanded rapidly through a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, with growing bilateral trade, direct flights, and investment. Defense and security cooperation has also deepened, including shared interest in countering Iranian-backed threats.
The relationship has faced strain from the prolonged Gaza war and its humanitarian toll, which sparked criticism of Israel across the Arab world, yet the Accords have proven durable, with Abu Dhabi maintaining ties even while voicing concern over Israeli conduct and settlement expansion.
Regional turbulence, including the 2026 conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran, and the stalled implementation of a US-brokered Gaza peace plan through much of 2026, has added further strain, though formal relations and defense coordination have continued uninterrupted.
Overall, the Israel-UAE relationship remains a resilient, interest-driven partnership balancing substantial economic and security cooperation against recurring pressure from unresolved regional conflicts, particularly Gaza.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of Israel is 5, while United Arab Emirates is situated 58 places below in the ranking (position 63). Israel maintains contact with 158 countries, while United Arab Emirates maintains contact with 58 countries. Israel maintains an excellent relation with 18 countries, while in the case of United Arab Emirates, this figure drops to 10.
About United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, on the eastern coast of the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and Oman to the east and north. The UAE has a diverse economy that is heavily reliant on oil exports, but it has also diversified into other sectors such as tourism, finance, and construction.
The UAE is a major player in the Middle East and has strong ties with the United States and other Western countries. It is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional organization that promotes economic, cultural, and political cooperation among its member states. The UAE is also a member of the United Nations and has a seat on the Security Council.
The UAE has a population of about 9.9 million people, the majority of whom are expatriates. The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and used in business. The country is known for its modern infrastructure and high standard of living, and it is a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island shaped like a palm tree.
Geography & terrain
Almost entirely flat desert and arid plains, with the Hajar Mountains rising along the eastern border toward Oman. Hot, arid climate with very low rainfall. Coastline on the Persian Gulf to the west and a short stretch of the Gulf of Oman to the east. The open desert offers little natural defense, though the harsh climate and scarcity of fresh water have historically discouraged sustained overland invasion.
About Israel
Israel is a small country located in the Middle East, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan and the West Bank to the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest.
Israel has a population of about 9 million people, and is a democratic and parliamentary republic. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, and the currency is the Israeli shekel.
Israel has a complex and often tumultuous history, and its modern political landscape is shaped by its position as a predominantly Jewish state in a region with a large Arab population. Relations between Israel and its neighbors have been strained at times, and the country has been involved in several wars and conflicts over the years.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a major source of tension in the region for decades. Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territories that are home to a large Palestinian population, has been a particularly contentious issue. Efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict have been ongoing for many years, but have so far been unsuccessful.
Israel is also involved in regional politics and has strong ties with the United States, which is a major ally and provider of military aid. Israel is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Geography & terrain
A narrow Mediterranean coastal plain gives way to central hills, the Jordan Rift Valley, and the arid Negev desert in the south. Mostly Mediterranean climate, turning desert further south. Has a Mediterranean coastline. The narrow width leaves little strategic depth, but the eastern high ground overlooking the Jordan Valley has real defensive value, making that terrain a historic strategic prize.
| United Arab Emirates |
Israel |
|
|---|---|---|
| Government type | Federal absolute monarchy | Parliamentary republic |
| GDP | $552.3B | $610.8BLeads |
| GDP per capita | $50.3K | $60.3KLeads |
| Military expenditure | $22.8B | $46.5BLeads |
| Military expenditure per capita | $2.0K | $4.6KLeads |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $8.0B | $18.6BLeads |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $9.1B | $18.6BLeads |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | $5.7B | $9.3BLeads |
| Nuclear power | No | Yes |
| European Union | Not a member | Not a member |
| NATO | Not a member | Not a member |
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of United Arab Emirates and Israel are approximately 2 044 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 2.0 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, United Arab Emirates and Israel score a 40/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Excellent relation (7+/10) with both countries
Very bad relation (3-/10) with both countries
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing United Arab Emirates's and Israel's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. United Arab Emirates scores noticeably higher with: Lebanon, Turkey, China, Iraq, Armenia.Israel scores noticeably higher with: Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cyprus, South Korea, Philippines.
The relation between United Arab Emirates and Israel hasn't changed recently, and it remains at 9.9.
Score history
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
Solo scenario: United Arab Emirates vs Israel
Allies scenario: Team United Arab Emirates vs Team Israel
In a hypothetical conflict between United Arab Emirates and Israel, probably, Turkey and Armenia will participate helping United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia will participate helping Israel.
Battle narrative
Initial phase
With both the bigger war chest and the stronger air force, Israel is well placed to seize the initiative early, striking key military and infrastructure targets first.
Force composition
Israel can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Israel's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
United Arab Emirates's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The open desert offers little natural defense, though the harsh climate and scarcity of fresh water have historically discouraged sustained overland invasion. Strait of Hormuz would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The narrow chokepoint off the UAE coast through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil exports must pass. Israel's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The narrow width leaves little strategic depth, but the eastern high ground overlooking the Jordan Valley has real defensive value, making that terrain a historic strategic prize. Golan Heights would likely be a focal point of the campaign: Elevated terrain overlooking southern Syria and northern Israel, giving whoever holds it early warning and artillery range advantages.
Prolonged conflict
Israel also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 7.6% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying United Arab Emirates outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Overall, the numbers favor Israel, giving it an estimated 62.9% chance of coming out on top. Turning that edge into a decisive win over United Arab Emirates — and holding any ground taken — would still be far from guaranteed.
Initial phase
Israel's team's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
United Arab Emirates's team can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Israel's team's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
United Arab Emirates's team's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Coalition
United Arab Emirates's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of Turkey, Armenia and United Arab Emirates. Israel's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of Israel and Saudi Arabia. Coordinating several countries at once adds combined strength for both sides, but also extra logistical and political complexity.
Prolonged conflict
United Arab Emirates's team's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Israel's team also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 6.7% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time.
Overall assessment
Israel's team enters this matchup as the stronger side on paper, with roughly a 51.1% probability of winning. That advantage would still need to be converted into an actual battlefield result against United Arab Emirates's team, which real conflicts rarely guarantee.
Want to build your own teams? Try the War Simulator.