The murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been labeled an act of terrorism by Israeli authorities, following his disappearance on Thursday. 36-year-old rabbi, a prominent member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was found dead early Sunday, prompting widespread condemnation from both Israeli and Emirati officials.
Arrests Made
UAE’s government announced the arrest of three suspects connected to the killing, but details regarding their identities or motives remain undisclosed. Officials promised a full investigation, with further information to follow once inquiries are complete.
A Community in Mourning
Rabbi Kogan, a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, had spent years fostering Jewish life in UAE. After marrying in 2022, he worked alongside his wife, Rivky, to strengthen the Jewish presence in the Gulf nation. His efforts were particularly significant in the wake of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE.
Chabad-Lubavitch issued a statement mourning his death, describing the rabbi as a dedicated emissary who played a key role in expanding Jewish outreach in Abu Dhabi.
Tensions Amid Regional Outrage
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the killing, describing it as a “despicable antisemitic terrorist attack.” He vowed that Israel would “exact justice” against those responsible. Murder comes during heightened tensions across the Middle East, driven by Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has fueled widespread anger in the region.
UAE, while officially maintaining ties with Israel, referred to Rabbi Kogan only as a Moldovan citizen in its public statements, reflecting a growing regional chill in relations with Israel. Emirati Ambassador to the United States, Yousef al-Otaiba, denounced killing as “a crime against UAE” and an attack on the country’s values of tolerance and coexistence.
Travel Advisory for Israelis
In response to the incident, the Israeli government issued a renewed warning, urging its citizens to avoid nonessential travel to UAE. Israelis already in the country were advised to avoid identifying themselves publicly as Israeli and to steer clear of locations associated with Jewish and Israeli communities.
Global Condemnation
murder has drawn international condemnation, with U.S. Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt decrying the act as “abhorrent” and a stark reminder of threats facing Jewish communities worldwide.
While investigations continue, a tragic killing has cast a shadow over the burgeoning Jewish community in UAE, raising concerns about security and the future of interfaith and international relations in the region.
