Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s recent death in the UAE has raised serious concerns, with authorities discovering his body after he was reported missing. The ultra-Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch envoy was seen as a victim of a possible anti-Semitic act, leading to swift police action and the arrest of three suspects from Uzbekistan. This incident has strained Israel-UAE relations, which had improved since the Abraham Accords, as both nations navigate political tensions and regional security issues.
Tragic Death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan Raises Questions
The recent burial of Rabbi Zvi Kogan on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem drew hundreds of mourners, yet it left a cloud of unanswered questions: Why was his life taken, and who is responsible for his untimely death in the Gulf region?
On Sunday morning, authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) discovered Kogan’s lifeless body in his vehicle in al-Ain, near the Oman border. Initial reports suggest he was kidnapped before being murdered. In a swift response, the UAE police apprehended three suspects that same day.
Rabbi Kogan’s Role in the UAE and Aftermath of His Death
At just 28 years old, Rabbi Kogan served as an envoy for the ultra-Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement, working to foster and expand Jewish life in the Emirates. Residing in Abu Dhabi, he operated a kosher business in Dubai and was last seen there the Wednesday before his disappearance. His family reported him missing just a day before authorities located his body.
In the wake of this tragedy, Chabad quickly pointed fingers at terrorists, claiming Kogan was a victim of a heinous anti-Semitic act, a sentiment echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speculation surrounding the identity of the assailants circulated in Israeli media, suggesting an Islamist terror cell linked to Iran, although Iran denied any involvement. The UAE government urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors and misinformation, emphasizing the ongoing tensions they share with Iran.
This incident has not only incited outrage within Israel and among the Jewish community in the UAE but has also rattled the sense of security that the Emirates are known for. The UAE is often ranked as one of the safest countries globally, particularly Abu Dhabi, which consistently holds the top spot in security rankings. Consequently, the swift action taken by authorities in response to Kogan’s disappearance reflects their commitment to maintaining that security.
On Monday, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior revealed the identities of the alleged perpetrators, confirming suspicions that the three arrested individuals are indeed from Uzbekistan. However, they did not address any potential ties to Iran, nor did they provide insight into the motive or details surrounding the crime.
Interestingly, the UAE’s official statements have omitted a key detail regarding Kogan’s nationality. While he held dual citizenship in Israel and Moldova, the UAE referred to him solely as a “Moldovan citizen,” deliberately sidestepping the Israeli connection. Reports indicated that an Israeli delegation had even traveled to the UAE to assist with the investigation.
The reason behind this omission remains unclear, but it might be tied to the strained relations between Israel and the UAE following the recent outbreak of the Gaza war.
Since normalizing relations in 2020 through the Abraham Accords—a significant diplomatic achievement during Donald Trump’s presidency—Israel and the UAE had seen a surge in bilateral ties, including a fivefold increase in trade and the establishment of the first Jewish community in the Arab world in a century. However, the recent conflict has put a strain on these relations, prompting Israel to issue travel warnings and leading Jewish expatriates to adopt more cautious behaviors.
As the UAE navigates its relationship with Israel while attempting to show support for the Palestinian cause, the citizens of the Emirates have faced criticism in other Arab nations for the government’s nuanced stance. Unlike Bahrain, which has taken drastic actions in response to the conflict, the UAE has maintained its diplomatic ties with Israel.
In fact, the UAE—unlike Qatar—does not have close ties with Hamas and is in a position to potentially assist in rebuilding Gaza following the war. Since the conflict began, the UAE has dispatched aid and has been treating injured Palestinians in its hospitals. However, the Emirati government has tied its willingness to help with the establishment of a Palestinian state, a condition that the Israeli leadership, under Netanyahu, has firmly rejected. Thus, the tragic death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan serves as yet another critical test for the fragile relations between Israel and the UAE.