Israeli Rabbi Found Dead In UAE: Israel Calls It ‘Anti-Semitic Terror’ As Ties With UAE Tested

Israeli authorities confirmed on Sunday that Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an envoy for the Chabad Orthodox Jewish organization, has been found dead in the United Arab Emirates. Kogan, who went missing Thursday, was reportedly in the UAE as part of the Abu Dhabi Chabad chapter. His death has sparked outrage in Israel, with the government labeling it an “anti-Semitic terrorist incident” and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.

The rabbi’s disappearance prompted an investigation by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, and the UAE authorities. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement condemning the murder, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to tracking down the perpetrators.

Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan national, was related to Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in a terror attack at the Nariman Chabad House in Mumbai in 2008. His tragic death comes at a sensitive time, as Israel and the UAE, who normalized relations under the Abraham Accords in 2020, continue to maintain ties despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

The situation has raised concerns about potential tensions between Israel and the UAE. Following Kogan’s death, Israel issued a travel warning, advising against non-essential visits to the UAE due to threats against Israeli nationals and Jewish communities. The warning urged Israelis to avoid public places linked to the Jewish community and to exercise heightened vigilance.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed sorrow over Kogan’s death, calling it a reminder of the persistent anti-Semitic hostility faced by the Jewish people. He also thanked the UAE authorities for their swift response and pledged to continue the work of Chabad emissaries worldwide, despite the attack.