Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an Israeli emissary to Abu Dhabi’s Chabad chapter, disappeared in the United Arab Emirates on November 21. Three days later, on November 24, Emirati authorities discovered his body in the city of Al Ain, near the Omani border. Israeli officials have accused Uzbek citizens, allegedly recruited by Iran, of involvement in the murder.
The Embassy of Israel in Abu Dhabi has reached out to Rabbi Kogan’s family in the UAE and updated his relatives in Israel. In a statement, the embassy condemned the killing as “a despicable antisemitic act of terror” and vowed to pursue justice using all available resources.
Chabad-Lubavitch, the global Hasidic movement Kogan represented, expressed deep sorrow over his death. “Rabbi Kogan was a dedicated emissary who was tragically abducted and killed,” the organization said.
Kogan’s car was found abandoned in Al Ain with evidence of a struggle inside. Authorities believe the suspects fled to Turkey after the attack. The UAE, reportedly shocked by the incident, has launched a high-level investigation involving senior government and religious officials.
Israeli and Emirati officials are now cooperating to uncover the circumstances of the killing and bring those responsible to justice.
