An Israeli citizen, Zvi Kogan, who was reported missing in the United Arab Emirates, has been found dead, according to Israeli authorities. Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and representative of Chabad, a Hasidic Jewish religious movement with a global presence, had been missing since Thursday afternoon.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement confirming that Kogan’s body had been located by UAE authorities. They described the incident as an “antisemitic terrorist act” and vowed to pursue justice for the crime.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, condemned the killing as a “cowardly and despicable act of anti-semitic terror.” The PMO had previously advised Israeli citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to the UAE, citing security concerns.
The UAE interior ministry acknowledged receiving a report from Kogan’s family about his disappearance and stated that an investigation was ongoing. Kogan, who was actively involved in promoting Judaism in the UAE, played a key role in establishing the first Jewish education center in the region and facilitating the availability of kosher food.
Kogan’s wife, Rivky, a US national, has a family history marked by tragedy, as her uncle Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The loss of Zvi Kogan has deeply saddened the Chabad community and raised concerns about the safety of Jewish individuals in the UAE.
