Body of missing rabbi found in Arab Emirates – DW – 11/24/2024

UAE intelligence and security officials discovered the body of Moldovan-Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a Chabad current and resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this Sunday (11/24/2024) following his alert. Missing last November 21. Israel’s Prime Minister spoke of the murder as a “criminal anti-Semitic terrorist”.

The UAE Foreign Ministry did not comment on news of the discovery of the body of Kogan, who worked for an Orthodox Jewish group that seeks to build bridges between secular Jews and other streams of Judaism. According to its website, the group’s Emirates branch also provides assistance to thousands of Jews visiting or living in the country.

A joint statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned, “The murder of Zvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist incident. The State of Israel will take all possible action and bring to justice the criminals responsible for his death.” Of the Ministry of External Affairs. The Mossad had begun an investigation and were already treating the case as a “terrorist incident”.

They say to be careful

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “The State of Israel will not rest or remain silent until those responsible for this criminal act pay for their actions.” He also called the incident “a cowardly and despicable anti-Semitic terrorist crime.” The two countries have made progress in bilateral relations after establishing diplomatic relations in 2020.

However, Israeli officials recommend avoiding non-essential travel to the UAE and exercising caution, especially from October 2023, when the offensive in the Gaza Strip began, which triggered protests in Arab countries.

After learning of Kogan’s death, the National Security Headquarters (NSH) reiterated its recommendation to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE, and advised such as being cautious in public places, avoiding displaying “Israeli symbols”, Released a series of. Do not publish travel details on social networks or stay in a “safe zone”, among other things.

DZC (EFE, Reuters)