Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested three individuals in connection with the death of Israeli rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was reportedly killed in what Israel has described as an 'antisemitic act of terror.' Kogan, a representative of the Chabad religious movement, went missing on Thursday afternoon and was later found deceased in Dubai, one of the emirates of the UAE.
The UAE interior ministry confirmed the discovery of Kogan's body and the arrest of the three suspects, without disclosing their identities or affiliations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to bring the perpetrators and those behind the attack to justice, condemning the incident as a heinous act of terror.
Kogan, who played a significant role in promoting Judaism in the UAE, founded the first Jewish education center in the region and facilitated the availability of kosher food. His wife, Rivky, is a US national with family ties to Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The UAE, which has a small Jewish community, opened its first purpose-built synagogue last year as part of the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex that also includes a mosque and a church. The country's relations with Israel have improved in recent years, culminating in the Abraham Accords brokered by the US in 2020.
Following the recent attacks, Israeli authorities have advised nationals against non-essential travel to the UAE and recommended minimizing movement and staying in secure locations. The Jewish community in Dubai has reportedly scaled back its public presence, with informal synagogues closing due to security concerns.
