Israelis thought they found paradise in the Gulf – then the war changed everything

Six years after the Abraham Accords, Israelis and Jews in the UAE find themselves in a new reality: symbols disappearing, synagogues closing, families leaving, and the fear of Iran reshaping their lives. The report is based on an extensive article by The New York Times.

Six years after the Abraham Accords, Israelis and Jews in the United Arab Emirates find themselves in a tense new reality, against the backdrop of a chain of regional wars and threats from Iran. This emerges from an extensive report by The New York Times, which serves as the basis for the article. The dramatic change began with the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza, and escalated with the Israeli strike on Iran in 2025 and the renewed war against Tehran in 2026. This year, Iran fired missiles at the Emirates, hitting airports and hotels. Israeli officials have even warned that Iran may target Israelis. The golden age of the community, which included synagogues, kosher restaurants, and the Abrahamic Family House, has been undermined. However, some still prefer the Emirates: Or Eliaz, a young entrepreneur, moved to Dubai just now and feels safer than in Israel. The article notes trade data of $14.5 billion between the countries from September 2020 to May 2026, and about 1.53 million passengers in 2025.