In a chilling act of violence, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a beloved Chabad emissary in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was murdered over the weekend, sending shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide and prompting a coordinated international response. Rabbi Kogan, who was integral to the UAE’s growing Jewish presence, was a close aide to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Duchman, the Chief Rabbi of the UAE. The rabbi's body was released on Sunday, following the determined efforts of the local Jewish community, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ZAKA International Department. He is being returned to Israel for burial in accordance with Jewish tradition.
A Grieving Community and a Global Outcry
Rabbi Kogan’s casket is en route to Israel, where his burial will take place. Details of the funeral are yet to be announced, but the loss has left an indelible mark on the Jewish community in the UAE and beyond. The tragedy has drawn sharp condemnation from world leaders, including the White House, which declared:
“This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. It was an assault as well on the UAE and its rejection of violent extremism across the board.”
The body of the late Rabbi Zvi Kogan, may his memory be a blessing, have been released for burial. His coffin is now en route to Israel. pic.twitter.com/sQ1RgREt2E
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 25, 2024
The Suspects and a Web of Terror
The UAE’s Ministry of Interior announced the capture of three Uzbek nationals—Olimpi Tohirovich (28), Makhmudjon Abdurrahim (28), and Azizi Kamilovich (33)—believed to be responsible for Rabbi Kogan’s murder. The suspects reportedly tracked him from his workplace, a kosher supermarket in Abu Dhabi, before orchestrating the attack. After the crime, they allegedly fled to Turkey, leaving Kogan's vehicle abandoned nearly an hour and a half away from Dubai.
Although initial speculations linked the suspects to Iran, Israeli authorities believe the perpetrators acted under the directives of another terrorist organization, possibly Hamas or Islamic Jihad. UAE sources have downplayed Iranian involvement, but the incident has raised troubling questions about the increasing reach of extremist networks in the region.
The UAE Ministry of Interior has published photos of Rabbi Zvi’s killers, revealing that they are all Uzbek nationals.
— Loay Alshareef لؤي الشريف (@lalshareef) November 25, 2024
They murdered a legal resident of the UAE, this is a treacherous act, and they will face justice and hell.
BASTARDS. pic.twitter.com/Rv5DyaZjH0
Shocking Lapses in Security
New details reveal that Rabbi Kogan's disappearance was marked by a series of missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy. On Saturday evening, Rabbi Kogan failed to attend scheduled meetings, prompting his wife to raise the alarm. The Chabad House’s security chief contacted UAE authorities, but it wasn’t until Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar intervened that decisive action was taken.
Adding to the mystery, Kogan’s vehicle reportedly received a speeding ticket en route to Oman, a detail that authorities initially ignored. Israeli officials are now expressing frustration with what they see as a lack of urgency from UAE security forces, despite several red flags leading up to the discovery of the crime.
Iran high on list of suspects for UAE Rabbi Zvi Kogan's murder
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 24, 2024
'Jews actually felt very safe there, so this is a shock,' says @FleurHassanN pic.twitter.com/fn5ED9tCnb
A Rare and Shocking Incident
A source within UAE law enforcement described the incident as unprecedented, saying:
“There is a lot of shock and anger after the disappearance and murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan. For years, we’ve prided ourselves on being a safe haven free from nationalist or security incidents. This crime is a dark stain on that reputation.”
This is efficiency.
— An Israeli mother (@IsraMum) November 24, 2024
UAE Minister of Interior announces the capture of Rabbi Kogan's murderers.
Let's bet they'll be treated far less nicely than the Nukhba #HaMassMurderers by Israel.
I'm not complaining about the Emiratis, mind you. Far from it. pic.twitter.com/bM9hcPAOHz
A Community in Mourning
Rabbi Kogan was not just a religious leader; he was a pillar of the UAE’s growing Jewish infrastructure, managing a kosher grocery store and fostering a sense of community among Jewish residents and visitors. His sudden and brutal murder has left his colleagues and loved ones reeling, with many struggling to reconcile this act of violence with the UAE’s long-standing commitment to tolerance and interfaith harmony.
As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist ideologies. For the Jewish community in the UAE, Rabbi Kogan’s murder is not just a personal loss but an attack on the values of coexistence that they—and the UAE as a nation—strive to uphold.
Today the funeral of Rabbi Zvi Kogan who was brutally murdered in the UAE will take place in Israel. As the entire Jewish people mourn his loss, let us help his wife Rivky Kogan who alongside her husband has been a devoted Jewish community leader in the UAE, rebuild her life.… pic.twitter.com/syaCV3iTKr
— Avraham Berkowitz (@GlobalRabbi) November 25, 2024
International Ramifications
This incident could have significant geopolitical implications, with Israel likely pressing the UAE to bolster its counterterrorism efforts and address any security lapses. The case also underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding minority communities in regions where external threats remain a constant concern.
The world now watches as Rabbi Kogan’s life is honored in Israel, even as the investigation into his tragic death continues to unfold. His memory will stand as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish spirit and the pursuit of peace, even in the face of senseless violence.
