Israel has recalled its ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Avraham Shelley, following reports of misconduct that Emirati authorities described as inappropriate and offensive to local sensibilities.
According to Israeli media, the UAE formally informed the Israeli government that Shelley was no longer welcome in his post due to behavior deemed “undignified.”
The incident reportedly occurred during a night out at a bar in Abu Dhabi, where Shelley was accompanied by a group of Israelis, including several women. Emirati officials expressed disapproval over his conduct, stating it had violated cultural norms and “harmed our dignity,” according to a report by Hebrew-language outlet N12.
Channel 12 News further reported that Shelley’s behavior involved actions that “crossed personal boundaries” and were considered inconsistent with the decorum expected of a foreign envoy.
Shelley’s recall comes amid strained regional dynamics related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The UAE normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords and has since maintained close, though increasingly complex, ties with Tel Aviv.
Prior to his posting in the UAE, Shelley served as Israel’s ambassador to Brazil, where he was previously implicated in two separate controversies during his tenure.
