Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have detained three individuals in connection with the death of Israeli-Moldovan rabbi Zvi Kogan, whom Israel has labeled a victim of an “antisemitic act of terror.”
Kogan, a Chabad emissary and advocate for Jewish life in the UAE, had been missing since Thursday afternoon. According to Chabad’s official website, he was abducted from Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates. On Sunday, the UAE’s Interior Ministry announced the discovery of Kogan’s body and confirmed the arrests.
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While the ministry refrained from disclosing the identities or affiliations of the suspects, it stated that “necessary legal procedures” were underway and further details would be shared after the investigation concludes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the murder, calling it a “heinous, antisemitic act of terror” and vowed that Israel would “use all means at its disposal to bring the perpetrators and those behind them to justice.”
In response, Israeli authorities renewed travel warnings, advising nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE and urging visitors to minimize movement and prioritize safety.
Zvi Kogan played a pivotal role in establishing Jewish education and kosher services in the UAE, including founding the region’s first Jewish education centre, according to Chabad. His efforts significantly bolstered Jewish life in the Gulf state, which has seen growing acceptance of its Jewish community.
Kogan’s wife, Rivky, is an American citizen and the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The White House called Kogan’s murder “a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence.” National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett described it as “an assault on the UAE’s commitment to rejecting violent extremism.” He also confirmed U.S. cooperation with Israeli and UAE authorities, offering “all appropriate forms of support.”
The UAE has a small but growing Jewish community, estimated to number in the thousands. Last year, the country inaugurated the Abrahamic Family House, a landmark interfaith complex featuring a synagogue, mosque, and church, underscoring its commitment to religious tolerance.
However, the visibility of Jewish and Israeli activities in the UAE has diminished since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Security concerns led to the temporary closure of informal synagogues in Dubai, according to Reuters.
The murder comes against the backdrop of the UAE’s deepened ties with Israel since the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the two nations. Despite the strengthening diplomatic relationship, tensions in the region have tested the burgeoning partnership.
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