Abstract
The Abraham Accords created a new hope for the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September 2020, which marked one of the most significant diplomatic developments in the Middle East in decades. Unlike previous Arab-Israeli peace agreements, which were often driven primarily by security considerations, the Israel–UAE relationship quickly evolved into a multidimensional partnership encompassing trade, tourism, technology, climate innovation, higher education, and scientific research. The agreement created opportunities for collaboration between two countries that share ambitions to become global centers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development [3].
Since this partnership, bilateral trade has expanded rapidly; direct flights have connected the two countries, and numerous agreements have been signed between universities, research institutions, businesses, and government agencies. The relationship has also become a cornerstone of broader regional initiatives involving the United States and India through the I2U2 framework, which focuses on food security, clean energy, water management, and economic development [8]. Despite these advances, the Israel–UAE relationship remains politically sensitive, particularly following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. While diplomatic relations have continued quietly, many forms of cooperation have become less publicized. The UAE is taking a particular stance on not creating public noise about the work that has been continuing between the two countries [3].
This paper examines the evolution of Israel–UAE relations since the Abraham Accords, focusing on climate cooperation, academic partnerships, student exchanges, and technological collaboration. It also explores the challenges that have limited deeper institutional cooperation and proposes areas where future collaboration could strengthen regional stability and sustainable development.
Background: The Abraham Accords and Normalization
On September 15, 2020, Israel and the UAE formally normalized relations under the Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States [3]. The agreement established full diplomatic relations and opened the door to cooperation in trade, tourism, technology, healthcare, education, and security. Unlike previous peace agreements between Israel, Egypt and Jordan, the Abraham Accords emerged in a context where both countries viewed economic modernization, technological innovation, and regional stability as shared strategic priorities [4], [5].
The UAE saw Israel as a valuable partner in advanced technology, cybersecurity, water management, agriculture, and innovation. Israel viewed the UAE as a gateway to Gulf markets, investment capital, and broader regional integration [4], [5]. Within two years of normalization, the two countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Israel’s first free trade agreement with an Arab state [3], [4].
The relationship also extended beyond bilateral cooperation. Together with the United States and India, Israel and the UAE helped establish the I2U2 initiative, a multilateral framework designed to promote investments in food security, renewable energy, water technology, transportation, and infrastructure development [8].
Academic Cooperation and Student Exchange
Higher education emerged as one of the most promising areas of collaboration following normalization. Universities in both countries quickly began exploring research partnerships, faculty exchanges, and joint educational programs [3], [4].
One of the earliest examples involved cooperation between Tel Aviv University and institutions in the UAE. Researchers from Israel and the UAE collaborated on water technology and sustainability projects, demonstrating how scientific cooperation could address common regional challenges. Tel Aviv University also participated in discussions regarding academic exchanges and collaborative research initiatives [4].
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion University similarly explored opportunities for cooperation in areas including desert agriculture, environmental science, and technological innovation [4].
However, perhaps the most notable academic partnership has been between the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The institutions signed an MoU in 2021 to deepen research cooperation in artificial intelligence through joint research projects, mutual visits, conferences, workshops, and exchange opportunities for students and researchers [6].
Additional opportunities for collaboration have emerged involving institutions such as Khalifa University, Zayed University, UAE University, and New York University Abu Dhabi. Despite these developments, student exchange remains one of the least developed aspects of the relationship. Most agreements have focused on institutional partnerships rather than large-scale student mobility. Long-term exchange programs, scholarship opportunities, and joint degree pathways remain limited [4].
Climate Change and Sustainability; A Foundation for Cooperation
Climate cooperation has become one of the most promising and politically practical areas of Israel–UAE collaboration. Both countries face severe environmental challenges, including water scarcity, extreme heat, desertification, food insecurity, and increasing climate-related risks, especially as they face similar climate challenges within the MENA region [1], [2].
Israel possesses internationally recognized expertise in desalination, water management, climate technology, and desert agriculture [1], [5]. The UAE, a desert nation, contributes substantial investment capacity, global diplomatic influence, renewable energy infrastructure, and leadership in international climate negotiations [1], [2]. If these areas of expertise were to be combined, Israel and the UAE could together become a joint powerhouse for climate-related technological solutions. In theory, since environmental challenges transcend political borders, climate cooperation offers an area where mutual interests align closely. Researchers and policymakers have increasingly argued that environmental diplomacy can serve as a stabilizing force in regional relations by focusing on shared problems rather than political disagreements [2]. The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, is an example of a leading organization in Environmental Diplomacy, specifically focusing on cross-border collaboration between Israel, Palestine and Jordan. While each area deals with their own ‘red tape’ in trying to push beyond bureaucratic barriers, their work has been a leading example of what can be accomplished by defying borders. Currently, there have not been many joint collaborations between Israel and the UAE in focusing on environmental action.
Water Innovation as a Success Story
One of the most tangible examples of Israel–UAE cooperation is the partnership involving Watergen, an Israeli company specializing in atmospheric water generation technology. This technology converts atmospheric humidity into clean drinking water. Especially in such an arid climate, as is Israel and the UAE, this technology provides drinking water solutions for small-scale projects such as homes and offices, to industrial projects like hospitals and schools or emergency relief programs [4].
Watergen partnered with UAE-based Baynunah and academic institutions to develop water technologies capable of producing drinking water directly from atmospheric humidity. The partnership led to plans for a Watergen production facility in the UAE, intended to serve not only the Emirates but also wider Gulf and African markets [4].
The project is particularly significant because water scarcity remains one of the Middle East’s most pressing environmental challenges. Watergen devices have already been deployed in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating how technological cooperation can directly address shared environmental concerns while creating commercial opportunities [4].
The Watergen initiative illustrates how climate-focused technologies can provide politically neutral avenues for collaboration while generating measurable benefits for both societies.
Why Information on Cooperation Appears Limited After 2021
While both countries excel in technological innovation and see one another as a valuable opportunity, a striking challenge encountered during this research is the apparent lack of publicly available information regarding Israel–UAE cooperation after 2021. While this absence may suggest that cooperation has largely stopped, available evidence indicates a more complex reality [2], [7].
Many of the highly publicized agreements announced immediately following the Abraham Accords generated extensive media attention because normalization itself was historic. Once initial agreements were signed, subsequent cooperation often moved into implementation phases that received less public visibility. Research partnerships, business investments, and technical collaborations frequently occur without major public announcements.
The political environment following the October 2023 Gaza war significantly altered the public dynamics of the relationship [2], [7]. The UAE maintained diplomatic relations with Israel and continued economic cooperation, yet many business leaders and government officials became increasingly reluctant to publicize joint initiatives in solidarity against the war in Gaza [7]. Existing partnerships largely remained intact but operated with reduced publicity due to sensitivities surrounding public opinion in the Arab world [2], [7].
Political Tensions and Ongoing Challenges
Despite significant achievements, normalization remains politically fragile. The Gaza war has generated substantial public pressure throughout the Arab world, making visible cooperation with Israel more politically sensitive for Gulf governments.
The UAE has consistently advocated for humanitarian assistance to Gaza while maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel under wraps [2], [7]. Emirati officials have sought to balance their commitment to normalization with broader regional political considerations and public sentiment regarding the Palestinian humanitarian crisis. Beyond political tensions, several structural challenges continue to hinder deeper cooperation. Many Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) that were signed after normalization never evolved into fully operational or implementational programs [2], [4]. Differences in institutional cultures, funding limitations, bureaucratic procedures, and the absence of established exchange infrastructures have slowed implementation [4].
Academic exchanges face additional barriers including scholarship shortages, limited credit transfer agreements, visa procedures for longer-term study programs, and insufficient institutional support structures.
Future Opportunities for Cooperation
Despite current challenges, substantial opportunities remain for future collaboration.
Climate research fellowships represent one of the most promising areas for expansion [2]. Joint fellowships could allow students and researchers to address common challenges involving water scarcity, renewable energy, and climate adaptation, while student sustainability exchanges could create opportunities for future leaders to develop professional networks and shared understanding.
Renewable energy innovation laboratories could combine Israeli technological expertise with Emirati investment capacity and infrastructure [1], [2]. Joint research centers focused on solar energy, hydrogen technologies, and climate resilience would align with both countries’ strategic priorities. Desert agriculture presents another major opportunity [5], [1]. Both countries possess unique expertise in farming under arid conditions and could jointly develop technologies relevant to food-insecure regions globally.
Another opportunity to push forward joint ideas and projects would be to bring in a neutral third party. Rather than the UAE and Israel taking direct initiative on joint projects, bringing in other partners such as United Nations agencies, World Bank, International NGOs, etc., could be managed through other frameworks that might ease the political tension of working together.
Artificial intelligence, space technology, economics, environmental studies, and engineering also represent promising areas for future collaboration [4], [6].
Policy Recommendations
If diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE continue, regardless of whether they are public or private, there could still be a golden opportunity to expand programs for students, especially through scholarships, semester exchanges, research fellowships, and virtual learning initiatives. If we cannot create operational projects together, empowering younger generations in academic or innovative organizations could lead to further collaboration from another angle into a future age. By prioritizing areas such as Climate Diplomacy through joint initiatives involving water security, renewable energy, and environmental innovation, it can focus on getting through similar bureaucratic barriers together while keeping the focus on shared challenges.
What Strengthening Ties Could Bring
By strengthening relations with one another, the UAE and Israel could be an example of what a bi-lateral powerhouse could look like in the region. Focusing on shared interests in areas of which both countries excel in would open up more channels which each would equally benefit from. Security and defense, AI intelligence, cyber and the like, could counter threats against regional actors, and create a system of support to combat vulnerabilities. It would also open up tourism, creating easier travel channels which would boost each economy, and alleviate preconceived security stressors of tourists traveling to this side of the world. Academic collaboration, research opportunities, joint healthcare and food security would open up the door for each country to have a shared system of emergency allyship – whereas in states of emergency or crisis, either country is equipped to step in and provide support, aid, and knowledge in the right time, and right way. Of course, technology, aerospace, water management and infrastructure are areas of which each country excels in. Why work siloed on similar initiatives when both could work simultaneously towards providing solutions to each of these problems.
Conclusion
The normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE represents one of the most significant diplomatic developments in the modern Middle East and in the world. Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, the two countries have established substantial cooperation across trade, technology, climate innovation, higher education, and scientific research.
The future of Israel-UAE relations may not resemble the highly public normalization period that followed the Abraham Accords. Instead, cooperation is likely to become more decentralized, technical, and multilateral. Climate change, water security, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and higher education offer pathways through which cooperation can continue despite political tensions. If both countries can shift from symbolic normalization to collaborative problem-solving, the relationship may prove more resilient than many observers currently assume.
Although political tensions associated with the Gaza war have reduced the visibility of many initiatives, evidence suggests that cooperation continues through economic partnerships, environmental projects, and research collaborations [7], [2], [6].
Climate change, water security, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development provide particularly promising foundations for long-term cooperation. These areas align closely with the strategic priorities of both countries and offer practical opportunities to address shared challenges.
Ultimately, the long-term success of normalization will depend not only on government agreements but also on the development of strong institutional and people-to-people connections. Expanding student exchanges, strengthening academic partnerships, and investing in collaborative climate initiatives can help transform diplomatic normalization into a durable framework for regional cooperation, without risking over-exposure or exhaustion of efforts to the public.
Resources
[1] Abraham Accords Peace Institute. (2023, December 12). Abraham Accords climate cooperation.
[2] Fassbender, F., & Sommer, U. (2024). Environmental diplomacy: The UAE and Israel before and after October 7. INSS Strategic Assessment, 27(4).
[3] Heritage Foundation. (2025). The Abraham Accords: A five-year report.
[4] Maher, M. (2022, October 26). Two years on, the Abraham Accords bear fruit. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
[5] Mitvim Institute. (2020, October). The potential for Israel–UAE cooperation.https://mitvim.org.il/en/publication/the-potential-for-israel-uae-cooperation/
[6] Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. (2022, April 13). MBZUAI and the Weizmann Institute of Science deepen research ties.
[7] Reuters. (2024, May 8). Gaza war cools Israel’s once red-hot business ties with UAE.
[8] U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). I2U2.https://www.state.gov/i2u2
