Key Takeaways:
– The body of the missing Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan, 28, was found in the United Arab Emirates
– Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, terms the incident as a ‘heinous antisemitic terror incident’
– The rabbi ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai, a popular destination with Israelis since the 2020 Abraham Accords
– The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency did not acknowledge the rabbi’s Israeli citizenship
– Netanyahu expressed shock at the incident and appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation
A Cruel Act Shattering Peace
On Sunday, Israel discovered the remains of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had been absent in the United Arab Emirates. He was allegedly murdered, leading authorities to denote it as a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” The Israel government announced its determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
A Life and Business Interrupted
Zvi Kogan, aged 28, was a significant figure in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, running a Kosher grocery store in the progressive city of Dubai. Israelis frequently visit Dubai for business and tourism, a bond strengthened following the diplomatic agreement between the two nations in the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Tensions Simmering in The Middle East
The diplomatic agreement has managed to survive, regardless of the escalating regional disputes triggered by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023. However, Israel’s heavy-handed response, involving a retaliatory offensive in Gaza and invasion of Lebanon, fanned the flames of discontent among Emiratis, Arab nationals, and others residing in the UAE.
Iran, known to back Hamas and Hezbollah, has also expressed desires to counteract Israel following a series of airstrikes implemented by the latter in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Emirati government, at the time of the report, had yet to comment.
A Rabbi Disappears, A Community Mourns
The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency noted Kogan’s disappearance but chose to identify him solely by his Moldovan origin, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge his Israeli citizenship. From the moment they were alerted, the UAE’s specialized authorities began an immediate search and investigation.
The Israeli Response
During a regular Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep shock over Kogan’s death. He showed gratitude for the UAE’s cooperation throughout the investigation and announced that relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger. Israel’s ceremonial President, Isaac Herzog, echoed these sentiments, expressing his trust in the Emirati authorities to ensure justice for the slain rabbi.
A Tight-Knit Community Scarred
Rabbi Kogan served as an representative of the prominent ultra-Orthodox Chabad Lubavitch movement, based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. He was last seen in Dubai, where a flourishing Jewish community exists, with unique facilities to cater to kosher diners. Rabbi Kogan’s kosher shop was sealed off following the tragic news.
Looking Toward Justice
Iran’s intelligence services have a known history of kidnappings in the UAE, but it remains unclear whether they were involved in Rabbi Kogan’s death. As the investigation continues, the Israeli government, the Jewish community, and the world patiently wait for justice to be served for the departed Rabbi Kogan.