Israel open first official office in Abu Dhabi

Israeli officials said on Friday that the country plans to open an office dealing with renewable energy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country with which it maintains no diplomatic relations currently.

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said the office - to be based in Abu Dhabi (pictured) - would likely be opened soon. Instead of a full mission, the office will consist of a diplomat who will be assigned to deal with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which has a base located outside the city.

Earlier this week, Israeli officials visited the UAE to inspect possible locations for the site. Dore Gold, the director-general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, also reportedly visited the country earlier this month.

Diplomatic breakthrough?

If the plan goes through, the office would serve as Israel's first official representation in the country. It would also be its only diplomatic mission on the Arab Peninsula.

Israel has scant diplomatic representation in the Arab world, maintaining embassies in only two countries in the region: Egypt and Jordan. The UAE, like other Arab nations, remains critical of Israel's occupation of land claimed by Palestinians.

IRENA confirmed that Israel has the right to send a permanent mission to the city, and that the UAE government has the responsibility to facilitate the move.

blc/msh (AP, dpa, Reuters)