Official statements from Israeli or UAE government indicating diplomatic tensions

Israeli Rabbi Kogan Found Murdered in Abu Dhabi; Israel Suspects Iran-Linked Terror Attack

Nov 24, 2024, 07:12 AM

Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, a Chabad emissary in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has been found dead after disappearing on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Israeli authorities have declared his killing an antisemitic terrorist attack, suspecting involvement by Iranian-linked assassins. A joint statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the murder as a "cowardly and despicable antisemitic terrorist crime" and vowed to use all means to bring the perpetrators to justice. UAE authorities discovered his body in Abu Dhabi and are cooperating with Israeli security agencies in the investigation. The Israeli mission in Abu Dhabi is coordinating the return of Rabbi Kogan's body to Israel. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have expressed deep sorrow over the loss and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.