Israeli Rabbi Found Murdered in UAE; Officials Pledge Justice
Israel has confirmed the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had gone missing in the United Arab Emirates, calling it a heinous act of antisemitic terrorism. The Israeli government has vowed to pursue the perpetrators relentlessly.
“The killing of Zvi Kogan is a criminal, antisemitic terror attack. The State of Israel will utilize all its resources to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declared on Sunday. This announcement followed the grim discovery of Rabbi Kogan’s body, days after he disappeared in Dubai.
Rabbi Kogan, an emissary for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, vanished on Thursday, prompting an extensive search led by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad in collaboration with UAE authorities. His abandoned vehicle was found roughly an hour’s drive from his residence, escalating fears for his safety.
President Isaac Herzog also condemned the act, describing it as “a vile and antisemitic crime.”
The 28-year-old rabbi had been a prominent figure in fostering Jewish life in the UAE. He managed a kosher supermarket in Dubai and worked alongside other Chabad representatives to support the local Jewish community and thousands of Jewish visitors.
Chabad-Lubavitch is a global Orthodox Jewish organization focused on connecting with secular and unaffiliated Jews. Its UAE branch plays a key role in providing religious and cultural support for the region’s Jewish population.
Israel has long advised its citizens to exercise caution when traveling to the UAE, citing the risk of terrorist activity in the region. The government’s travel advisory warns against non-essential trips, highlighting potential threats to Israeli nationals.
The tragic incident comes amid ongoing diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, formalized under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. Despite tensions arising from the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the UAE has maintained its relationship with Israel.
The Israeli government remains in contact with Rabbi Kogan’s family and has reiterated its commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable.
