Rabbi Zvi Kogan Murdered in UAE

Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a 28-year-old Israeli-Moldovan rabbi affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was tragically murdered in the United Arab Emirates, an act condemned as antisemitic terrorism by Israeli officials. Kogan, who managed a kosher grocery store in Dubai, was reported missing before his body was discovered, prompting outrage from leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to ensure justice for the attack. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, although early investigations suggest potential involvement by Uzbek nationals and possible ties to organized terrorist activity. The World Jewish Congress expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the UAE, emphasizing the need for justice and condemning the violence. This incident has raised alarms about the safety of Jewish individuals abroad, particularly amidst rising anti-Jewish sentiments and geopolitical tensions. The murder is seen as a significant blow to the burgeoning Jewish community in the UAE, which has been flourishing since the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE in 2020.