TEL AVIV: Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to operate them to the United Arab Emirates to defend the country during the Iran war, Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to the country, said on Tuesday.The comments by Mike Huckabee underline the growing defence relationship between Israel and the UAE, countries long suspicious of Iran, as a shaky ceasefire still holds in the Iran war. However, the narrow Strait of Hormuz remains in Tehran’s chokehold and negotiations between the US and Iran appear at a standstill for the moment, raising the risk of conflict breaking out again.Huckabee, a Baptist minister, former governor of Arkansas and one-time presidential candidate, commented during an event in Tel Aviv, Israel.“I’d like to say a word of appreciation for the United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham Accord member,” Huckabee said at the Tel Aviv Conference. “Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.” He added.The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, diplomatically recognised Israel in 2020.The UAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the acknowledgement by Huckabee.Huckabee added that he was “very optimistic” that additional countries in the region will soon join the Abraham Accords, the 2020 diplomatic recognition deal that also included the Gulf Arab kingdom of Bahrain, for formal relations with Israel.However, many Arab states remain enraged by Israel’s wide-ranging military campaigns after Hamas’ 2023 attack on the country, which has seen the Gaza Strip levelled and Iran’s allies attacked across the wider Mideast. Israel now controls territory in Lebanon and Syria as well.“The Gulf states now understand they will have to make a choice – is it more likely they will be attacked by Iran or Israel?” Huckabee asked. “They see that Israel helped us and Iran attacked us. Israel is not trying to take over your land, and is not sending missiles to you.”
