Tamar Smulowicz relocated from Israel to the United Arab Emirates six years ago, drawn by her husband's IT job in Ras Al Khaimah. Initially, the family felt welcomed and safe, with their daughters integrating into an international school. However, a cascade of regional conflicts, beginning with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and ensuing war in Gaza, has eroded this sense of security.
Jewish life in the Emirates has become quieter and less visible, with many residents concealing religious symbols and avoiding public discourse. The situation intensified after an Israeli rabbi was kidnapped and killed in the U.A.E. in 2024, leading to death sentences for three Uzbek nationals. Further instability arrived with the Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran in 2025 and 2026, and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Emirates sites this year.
The alleged aborted plot to down a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight in September further heightened alarm. Community members report some have left, while others, like the Smulowicz family, remain but live with increased caution. Rabbi Yehuda Sarna describes the climate as "a moment of sobriety," contrasting the current mood with the initial optimism following the Abraham Accords.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing