Iranians, Palestinians Suspected of Murdering Israeli Rabbi in UAE

November 25, 2024

by: Joshua Spurlock ~ Middle East Update

Monday, 25 November 2024 | Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli citizen and emissary for the Chabad organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was confirmed on Sunday to have been murdered in what Israel’s government called “an abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism.” The UAE intelligence and security authorities found Kogan’s [body] after he went missing on Thursday, according to a joint statement published by Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The UAE Ministry of the Interior reported on Sunday that they had arrested the three killers of Kogan. In a statement posted to the Ministry’s website, the UAE claimed to have arrested the perpetrators “in record time,” but did not provide further details on the killers.

Initial reporting by Ynetnews indicated that terrorists from Uzbekistan acting on Iran’s orders were suspected of murdering Kogan, but a later follow-up report by Ynetnews indicated that instead Palestinian Islamic Jihad or Hamas may have given the kill order.

Prior to the UAE announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu committed on Sunday to bringing the murderers to justice.

“I would like to express deep outrage—on behalf of myself, all members of the government, all citizens of Israel and the entire Jewish people—over the abduction and murder of Zvi Kogan, may G-d avenge him,” said Netanyahu in comments translated from Hebrew and published by Israel. “…On your behalf, I also send heartfelt condolences to the Kogan family.

“The State of Israel will use all means, and will deal with these murderers, and those who dispatched them, to the fullest extent of the law. None of them will get away.”

The Israeli leader went on to express his appreciation to the UAE—with whom Israel has a peace agreement as part of the Abraham Accords—for their investigation into the murder. Said Netanyahu, “We will strengthen the ties between us in the face of attempts by the axis of evil to harm the relationship of peace between us. We will strengthen them and we will work to expand regional stability.”

The UAE Ministry of Interior statement provided details into their investigation, noting that “upon receiving a missing person report from the victim’s family, a specialized search and investigation team was promptly assembled. This led to the discovery of the victim’s body, the identification and arrest of the perpetrators and the initiation of the necessary legal procedures. Full details of the incident will be disclosed upon the conclusion of the investigations.”

According to Israel’s joint statement, which they translated from Hebrew, the Israeli diplomatic mission in the UAE has been in contact with Kogan’s family throughout the situation and “is continuing to assist it at this difficult time; his family in Israel has also been updated.”

According to an article on www.chabad.org, Kogan was just 28-years-old with a wife, Rivky, whom he married in 2022. In the article, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch—the educational branch of Chabad (Jewish religious organization with outreach to Jews around the world)—said on Sunday that “Rabbi Kogan moved to UAE with his wife Rivky to answer a calling of service, only for his life to be cut short by terrorists.”

Outrage came from the US as well. US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Amb. Deborah Lipstadt posted to X (formerly Twitter), “Horrified by the news that Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan was kidnapped and murdered. We appreciate the actions of UAE authorities to hold accountable those who planned and carried out this heinous act. The ongoing targeting of Jewish communities worldwide is abhorrent and must stop.”

In addition, Israeli President Isaac Herzog voiced his own lament in his comments published in Israel. “I mourn with sorrow and outrage the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan. This vile antisemitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people. It will not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere…

Our thoughts and condolences are with Rabbi Kogan’s wife and family. May his memory be a blessing.”

Posted on November 25, 2024

Source: (This article was originally published by the Middle East Update on November 24, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today.)

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