Israel's Hadassah Hospital in Negotiations to Open in Dubai

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed signing the normalisation agreement in Washington, DC on 15 September (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed signing the normalisation agreement in Washington, DC on 15 September (AFP)
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Israel's Hadassah Hospital in Negotiations to Open in Dubai

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed signing the normalisation agreement in Washington, DC on 15 September (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed signing the normalisation agreement in Washington, DC on 15 September (AFP)

Israel’s Hadassah Medical Center, in West Jerusalem, is in talks with UAE officials to open a hospital in Dubai, announced the hospital’s head.

Political sources said that the director of the Hadassah Hospital, Zeev Rotstein, held several meetings with the UAE officials during his visit to Dubai last week, noting there is a desire for cooperation and exchange of experiences between the medical experts.

Rotstein hailed the offer to build a hospital in Dubai, but stressed negotiations were still at an early stage, describing it as “a revolution — to establish Hadassah Hospital as a medical power in the United Arab Emirates.”

He indicated that he would form a team to study the details of the proposal and provide suggestions on their implementation, including the exchange of doctors and researchers between Dubai and Jerusalem.

The Hadassah hospital is affiliated with the Hadassah organization, and is known as one of Israel’s best hospitals.

However, in recent years the medical center has been facing financial troubles, which were heightened during the coronavirus pandemic.

The hospital wrote a letter to the Israeli Finance and Health ministries on behalf of public hospitals, announcing there was a financial crisis in all public medical facilities, including Hadassah.

Meanwhile, sources in the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that hundreds of Israeli businessmen and journalists have been in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, since the peace treaty was signed in mid-last month, except for politicians.

Although several deals, including political agreements, have been signed, no Israeli minister has entered the UAE, following a ban from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu informed the ministers who requested approval for their travel in order to advance relations, that he wants to be the first official to visit the UAE.

The directive came after several ministers showed interest in traveling to Abu Dhabi following the normalization deal, reported the Walla news site, citing three political resources. However, Netanyahu used his veto power and requested that such visiting programs be suspended until further notice.

Two weeks ago, Netanyahu and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to meet in the near future.

The conversation was the first between the two since the agreement to normalize ties between the states was announced on August 13, and they agreed to meet “soon.”



Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
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Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced "considerable concern" about the Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel "respect its humanitarian obligations".

The Gaza Strip, where nearly all 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has been subjected to a strict blockade since March 2 and is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israeli authorities claim that the blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages.

"In the West Bank as well, Palestinians need political and economic future prospects so that hatred and extremism no longer find fertile grounds," Wadephul said.

His visit comes at a time when Israel and Germany are preparing to celebrate 60 years of joint diplomatic relations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected in Berlin on Monday, while his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel on Tuesday.