Israel says body of missing Israeli rabbi in UAE found – BNN Bloomberg

On November 24, 2024By Littum

(Bloomberg) — Security authorities in the United Arab Emirates have found the body of Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldavian rabbi who has been missing since Thursday, the Israeli prime minister’s office said.

“The murder of the late Zvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist event,” according to a statement from the office. “The State of Israel will act by all means and bring the criminals responsible for his death to justice.”

Israel said it is strengthening its recommendation to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE. It also recommended avoiding businesses and gathering places identified with the Israeli and Jewish population, avoiding posting travel information on social media and reducing movement.

“There is concern that there remains a threat on the ground against Israelis and Jews in the area,” the National Security Council said.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday saying it was “monitoring the case closely” and “is in close contact” with Kogan’s family. It has not immediately commented on the discovery of the rabbi’s body.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, the Israeli government has warned its citizens traveling abroad of possible attacks by Iranian or Iran-backed operatives. It has raised the alert level in dozens of countries, including the UAE.

Kogan had lived in the UAE as a missionary for Chabad-Lubavitch, a Jewish organization. He had worked for several years with colleagues to establish and expand Jewish life in the Emirates, including making kosher food widely available, according to a Chabad website.

“This vile anti-Semitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the Jewish people,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a post on X. “It will not deter us from continuing to grow thriving communities in the UAE or anywhere.”

(Adds travel warning in 3rd and 4th paragraphs, details in last)