Israel announced on Sunday that the body of rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had been missing in the United Arab Emirates, was found. He was killed in what Israel described as a "heinous antisemitic terror incident."
The UAE's interior ministry later said three suspects were arrested in connection with the killing.
A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel "will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Israeli authorities did not explain, however, how they concluded that Kogan’s killing was a terror attack and provided no additional details.
Who was rabbi Zvi Kogan?A rabbi is a spiritual leader and teacher in Judaism. The term "rabbi" means "teacher" in Hebrew.
Rabbi Kogan, 28, was an envoy of the Chabad Lubavitch organization, an Orthodox Jewish group based in Brooklyn, New York. He had been missing in Dubai since Thursday.
Kogan, a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, previously served in the Israel defense forces’ Givati Brigade, The Times of Israel reported.
He worked in the UAE with other Chabad representatives to support Jewish life in the region and managed a kosher supermarket in Dubai.
Chabad Lubavitch, which aims to connect with Jews of various backgrounds, said Kogan was involved in expanding Jewish life in the Emirates. The group’s UAE branch supports Jewish visitors and residents.
Kogan had been part of the Abu Dhabi Chabad chapter since the Abraham Accords normalized Israel-UAE relations in 2020.
Kogan’s wife, Rivky, a US citizen, resided with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, a victim of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Sean Savett, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, described Kogan’s killing as "a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence."
According to Chabad’s website, "Kogan worked alongside Rabbi Levi Duchman, Rabbi to the United Arab Emirates, and other Chabad emissaries for several years in establishing and expanding Jewish life in the Emirates. Among the many milestones was the founding of the first Jewish education center in the Gulf, and making kosher food widely available."
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and...
Read MoreAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment