Security authorities in the United Arab Emirates have discovered the body of Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who had been missing since Thursday, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The office labeled Kogan’s murder as a “criminal antisemitic terrorist event” and vowed that Israel would pursue justice for his death. This incident has prompted Israel to reiterate its warning against non-essential travel to the UAE and advised its citizens to avoid locations associated with the Israeli and Jewish community, limit social media sharing of travel details, and minimize movement within the area due to ongoing threats against Israelis and Jews, as stated by the National Security Council.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their monitoring of the case and their communication with Kogan’s family, although they have not yet commented on the discovery of the rabbi’s body. The murder occurs amid rising tensions following the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023, with Israel cautioning its citizens about potential threats from Iranian or Iran-backed actors in several countries, including the UAE.
Zvi Kogan, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, had been living in the UAE, contributing to the establishment and expansion of Jewish life there for years, according to Chabad. This has included efforts to increase the availability of kosher food within the region. Highlighting the broader implications of the act, Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned it as a “vile antisemitic attack” and stated that it serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats faced by Jewish communities. Despite this, Herzog underscored Israel’s commitment to fostering growing Jewish communities in the UAE and elsewhere.
This incident has heightened security concerns and reinforced the fragility of newly established Jewish communities in various parts of the world.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/world/israel-says-body-of-missing-israeli-rabbi-in-uae-is-found-11732442534446.html
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