H.E. Liron Zaslansky currently serves as the Consul General of Israel in Dubai. Behind this title lies a long and strategic diplomatic career — and, according to insiders, a deeper network of covert Israeli operations in the Gulf region long before formal normalization.
Before assuming her current post, Zaslansky worked for nearly two decades at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She held key positions such as Director of the Department for Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, and previously served in Israeli diplomatic missions around the world — including the European Union and NATO (Brussels), India and Sri Lanka (New Delhi), Germany (Berlin), Costa Rica (San José), and across the Arabian Gulf.
An Insider’s Account: “We Were There in Secret for a Decade”
An excerpt from a recent testimony by one of Zaslansky’s acquaintances sheds light on the extent of Israel’s discreet activity in the Gulf long before the Abraham Accords:
“Last night, I attended a gathering of women diplomats and journalists from the U.S., Germany, Romania, and the UAE. I stayed after with the host, Liron Zaslansky, the Consul General of Israel in Dubai. Then her husband, Ohad Horsandi, arrived and pointed at a small paper turtle. He said: ‘Do you see this turtle?’
I looked closer, and he explained: ‘We were here, secretly, for more than a decade. Talking openly about Israel’s representation in this part of the world — or the warm relations that were quietly developing — was completely forbidden. Even our friends and family had no idea what we were doing.’”
Diplomatic Background — Liron Zaslansky
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
18 years and 10 months of service
Consul General in Dubai (Aug 2022 – Present) – Dubai, UAE
Director, Department of Jordan, Syria & Lebanon (2018 – Jul 2022) – Jerusalem
Political Counsellor, Mission to the EU & NATO (2016 – 2018) – Brussels
Counsellor, Embassy to India & Sri Lanka (2013 – 2016) – New Delhi
Chief of Staff, Public Diplomacy Division (2012 – 2013) – Jerusalem
Counsellor for Economic, Energy & Environmental Affairs, Embassy to Germany (2010 – 2012) – Berlin
Special Envoy to the Arabian Gulf (2008 – 2010)
Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy to Costa Rica (2007 – 2008) – San José
Academic Background
M.A. in International Relations (International Law specialization) – Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2005–2007)
B.A. in International Relations & General Studies (Latin America and Contemporary Judaism) – Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2002–2005)
Contact Information
📍 Office Address: 3601, HDS Tower, Cluster F, JLT, Dubai
📧Emails: helpdesk@israelvisauae.com| liron.zaslansky@mfa.gov.il
📞 Tel: +971-45786091 | Mobile: +971-552249019
🕘 Working Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Submission), 3:00 PM–5:00 PM (Collection)
Ohad Horsandi – Deputy Ambassador of Israel in the UAE
Ohad Horsandi, the husband of Liron Zaslansky, serves as Deputy Ambassador of Israel in the United Arab Emirates — a role that reflects the close coordination between the Israeli missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Diplomatic Career
Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Israel in the UAE (Aug 2022 – Present) – Abu Dhabi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel – 4 years, Jerusalem
UN Political Affairs Department (Sep 2020 – Aug 2022)
North Europe Desk (Sep 2018 – Aug 2020)
Political Counsellor, Mission of Israel to the EU & NATO (Jul 2016 – Aug 2018) – Brussels
Head of Political Section, Mission to NATO
Spokesman, Embassy of Israel in India (Aug 2013 – Jun 2016) – New Delhi
Desk Officer, MFA Jerusalem (Jul 2012 – Jul 2013)
Diplomatic Cadet, MFA Training Program (Dec 2011 – Jun 2012)
Middle East Economy Department (Feb 2010 – Nov 2011) – Jerusalem
Data Analyst, Caspy & Caspy Accountants (Nov 2007 – Jan 2010) – Jerusalem
Focus: locating and analyzing data on assets and funds of Holocaust victims for Hashava, the Holocaust Restitution Company of Israel.
Academic Background
M.A. in Middle East Studies – Tel Aviv University (2018–2020, Cum Laude)
B.A. in Political Science, Philosophy & Economics – Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2006–2010)
Emails:
ohdh82@gmail.com
ohad1982@yahoo.com
A Decade of Covert Diplomacy
The statements attributed to Horsandi confirm that Israeli representatives operated secretly across the Gulf region for more than ten years before public normalization took place. The revelation sheds light on how Israel built extensive, quiet diplomatic and intelligence ties with regional partners — under the radar of both public scrutiny and regional politics.
Of course, that’s not all we know…!