When Tamar Smulowicz relocated from Israel to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) following the normalization of ties between the two countries six years ago, she embraced a new chapter in a place she had never previously considered home. Her husband took a government IT job in Ras Al Khaimah, and their family quickly integrated into local life, with their children attending an English-language school and Ms. Smulowicz forming friendships across diverse backgrounds she had seldom encountered in Israel. “We were welcomed,” she recalled, describing a sense of safety from the outset.
However, recent years have tested the confidence of Israelis and Jewish residents in the U.A.E., with the once visible and thriving community retreating into greater caution. Jewish cultural and religious symbols have largely vanished from public view, social events have been moved indoors, and many community members are increasingly reluctant to disclose their Jewish or Israeli identities openly.
This shift accelerated following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, and the subsequent war in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed. The conflict intensified regional tensions and drew widespread international criticism of Israel, leading to increased isolation of Israelis abroad.
Further destabilizing the region, an Israeli rabbi was kidnapped and killed within the U.A.E. in early 2024. Authorities initially arrested three Uzbek nationals in connection with the case; eventually, three individuals were sentenced to death and a fourth received a prison term, though names were not publicly disclosed. The security situation deteriorated further after Israel launched attacks on Iran in 2025 with U.S. support and renewed hostilities soon followed in 2026.
In 2026, missile and drone strikes attributed to Iran targeted multiple sites in the U.A.E., including airports and hotels, placing the country and its residents under direct threat. Israeli officials issued warnings that Jewish and Israeli individuals in the Emirates could be specific targets. A foiled plot in late September 2026, reportedly inspired by the September 11 attacks, sought to crash a passenger plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, raising alarms in a region with significant air traffic between the two countries.
These developments have dampened the U.A.E.’s image as a safe and open environment for Jewish life, prompting some Israelis and Jews to leave, while others remain but exercise increased caution. Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, former chief rabbi of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, described the current atmosphere as “a moment of sobriety” for the community.
Before these events, Jewish life in the U.A.E. had flourished. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, ushered in a period of unprecedented cooperation. Jewish residents openly celebrated their traditions, with kosher restaurants, synagogues, and public religious events becoming more common. The establishment of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi in early 2023 symbolized the government’s commitment to religious tolerance. Trade and travel between Israel and the Emirates surged, with bilateral commerce exceeding $14.5 billion between September 2020 and May 2026, and over 120 weekly direct flights facilitating movement for business and tourism.
Despite initial public enthusiasm, opinion polls suggested a degree of regional skepticism regarding the Abraham Accords. The U.A.E. government, an authoritarian regime with limited tolerance for public dissent, nonetheless maintained official support for coexistence and protection of minority communities.
In recent months, visible signs of Jewish public life have been scaled back. Businesses have removed kosher signage, events are held privately, and enhanced security measures have been implemented at community institutions. The Abrahamic Family House temporarily closed at the height of regional tensions. The U.A.E. foreign ministry emphasized its continued commitment to “the safety, security, and well-being of all members of society” and reaffirmed the nation’s values of tolerance and respect for diversity.
Amid the uncertainty, some Israelis have chosen to settle in the Emirates, viewing it as a comparatively safer and more stable environment than Israel. Entrepreneur Or Eliaz, who moved with his family, cited the desire for peace and new opportunities despite restrictions on free expression. “I feel much more secure to live my life here than in Israel,” he said, though he acknowledged the challenges of navigating complex regional dynamics.
As the community adapts to these evolving realities, Rabbi Sarna expressed hope that the situation would improve, stating, “We are perhaps on the low end of a cycle, but it’s a cycle, and we are going to be on our way up.” For now, Jewish and Israeli residents in the Emirates remain watchful amid ongoing regional volatility.