Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s body has been discovered in the UAE following his reported kidnapping. The Israeli government calls it an anti-Semitic terror attack. There are suspicions of Iranian involvement, with the UAE not recognizing Kogan’s Israeli citizenship. His wife, a U.S. citizen, adds personal context to the situation, highlighting the strain on diplomatic ties amid rising fears of violence against Jews.
The Israeli government has formally announced that the body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had been missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was discovered following what they deemed “a heinous anti-Semitic terror incident.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would pursue justice aggressively against the individuals responsible for Rabbi Kogan’s death. His disappearance, reported on Thursday, had raised concerns of a potential kidnapping amid rising tensions with Iran. Kogan’s wife, Rivky, a U.S. citizen and niece of a rabbi killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, last saw him in Dubai, where he managed a kosher grocery store that has since been shut down.
Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, was last seen on social media at a kosher grocery store in Dubai. His wife, Rivky, emphasized the personal connection to the larger narrative of violence against Jews, given her familial ties to the victims of terrorism. Currently, the situation is escalated due to threats from Iran, which is suspected of conducting intelligence operations within the UAE. The UAE has built diplomatic ties with Israel, allowing a Jewish community to flourish amidst a politically charged environment.
The death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan has not only prompted a strong reaction from the Israeli government, which associates it with anti-Semitic violence, but has also raised broader concerns about regional security and Iranian involvement. While the UAE has yet to acknowledge Kogan’s Israeli nationality, the incident highlights the complex dynamics between diplomatic relations and the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region. This case continues to be a critical point of concern for both Israeli authorities and the Jewish community in the UAE.
Original Source: www.armidaleexpress.com.au
