Israel has opened a secret diplomatic office in Dubai, the major commercial center of the Gulf region. But according to a report in the Tel Aviv-based daily Haaretz, the three Israeli diplomats are operating undercover of foreign businessmen. The report added the diplomats have commenced carrying out low-profile work with the full knowledge and approval of the host government.
The diplomats, and their families, are holding passports from foreign countries in addition to their Israeli citizenship.
Sources in the UAE downplayed the importance of the reports about the establishment of the mission. "These are not new reports. The Israeli press has discussed this several times before," the sources said to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates on Sunday strongly denied the Israeli reports. A UAE Foreign Ministry source said in a statement to the Emirates News Agency that his country "denies this news and affirms its commitment to the Arab peace proposal declared in Beirut and Algeria summits."
