Authorities in the UAE have apprehended three people in connection with the death of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was reportedly killed in what Israel describes as an 'antisemitic act of terror.'
Family members of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was tragically murdered in Dubai, expressed deep sorrow, reflecting on how they had always believed he was 'invincible.' They also shared their concerns about him moving to the UAE, given their own tragic experiences with terrorism. Kogan’s widow, Rivky, had lost both her aunt and uncle in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, a painful memory that the family feels has been revived by this new tragedy.
In a statement to The Post, Rabbi Zvi Kogan's brother-in-law Aharon Spielman who is also a rabbi said:
“This is like reopening old wounds... My mother specifically had her reservations, being that her brother was murdered in Mumbai,”
Rabbi Aharon Spielman spoke about his mother expressing concerns over his younger sister, Rivky, and her husband, Zvi Kogan, relocating to Dubai in 2022 after their marriage.
According to The New York Post, Spielman recalled the tragic history of Rivky’s family, explaining that her father ( and Zvi Kogan's father-in-law), Gavriel Holtzberg, along with his wife Rivka, were victims of the horrific 2008 terror attacks in India. During those attacks, coordinated by Islamist militants, shootings and bombings unfolded over four days in November, targeting high-end hotels, a Jewish cultural center, and other crowded areas. The brutal assault left 175 people dead.
An Israeli foreign ministry representative confirmed that all relevant Israeli agencies were working together on the investigation into Rabbi Zvi Kogan's death. Authorities believe he was last seen at a kosher supermarket in Dubai before the incident.
Zvi Kogan’s body was discovered in Al Ain, a city in the UAE near the Oman border. However, it remains unclear whether he was killed there or at another location, as reported by former Israeli politician Ayoob Kara to Reuters from Dubai.
Who was Rabbi Zvi Kogan?
A 28-year-old Israeli-Moldovan national, Rabbi Zvi Kogan worked alongside other Chabad emissaries to help foster and grow Jewish life in the United Arab Emirates. He was also responsible for running a kosher supermarket in Dubai. Rabbi Zvi Kogan was a former combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces.
Chabad is a religious organization focused on reaching out to secular and unaffiliated Jews, as well as engaging with various Jewish denominations. The Chabad branch in the UAE provides vital support to both Jewish residents and visitors, with thousands benefiting from its outreach, as noted on the organization’s website.
Foreign governments and dignitaries have responded to Zvi Kogan's death
As reported by CNN world, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would
“use all means at its disposal to bring the murderers of Kogan and those who sent them to justice.”
The White House condemned the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, calling it
"a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence."
National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett further emphasized that the act was 'an assault on the UAE and its rejection of violent extremism.' He added that the United States is working closely with both Israeli and UAE authorities and has offered full support in the investigation.
Jason Greenblatt, who served as the White House Envoy to the Middle East during President Donald Trump’s first term, expressed his sorrow over Rabbi Zvi Kogan's murder in a statement to The Post, calling it a devastating tragedy.
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“Jews and Jewish life are under attack all over the world. Even in countries as safe and welcoming as the UAE, even in Abu Dhabi, one of the safest cities in the world, evil can sometimes penetrate." Greenblatt stated.
He also expressed confidence that the UAE authorities would work diligently to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable.
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