Uncertainty surrounds Netanyahu's trip to UAE following wife, Sara's, hospitalisation

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-anticipated trip to the UAE may be cancelled yet again, this time due to his wife's hospitalisation with appendicitis, according to reports by Haaretz. 

The Israeli premier was due to fly to the Abu Dhabi today but is now weighing his options after his wife, Sara, was admitted to hospital overnight, where she is expected to remain for the coming days. 

Netanyahu set to meet with Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on a one-day trip to the UAE. It would have been his first official diplomatic visit since the normalisation agreements were signed by the two countries in September. 

The Israeli PM was originally due to travel to the UAE and Bahrain in October, following the signing of the agreement, but was pushed back on multiple occasions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The trip was later shortened from three days to just one and the Bahrain leg was cut from the schedule altogether.

Time is running out for Netanyahu who faces his fourth general election in two years in 10 days time.

According to reports, Israeli officials, coordinated by Mossad chief Yossi Cohen were also seeking a meeting between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The meeting would have been another diplomatic first, however these reports were denied by a Saudi official who spoke to Reuters. 

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