Body of missing rabbi Zvi Kogan found in UAE – as Israeli PM says he was murdered in ‘antisemitic terror incident’

The body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in Abu Dhabi has been found, Israel has said.

Zvi Kogan, the Chabad representative in the United Arab Emirates, went missing on Thursday.

A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said the 28-year-old rabbi was murdered, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident”.

“The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death,” it said.

On Saturday, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad said it was investigating the disappearance as suspicions arose that he had been kidnapped.

The Emirati government gave no immediate acknowledgment that Mr Kogan had been found dead. Its interior ministry has described the rabbi as being “missing and out of contact”.

“Specialised authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report,” the Interior Ministry said.

The rabbi lived in the UAE with his wife Rivky, who is a US citizen, and ran a Kosher grocery store in Dubai.

The Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of Orthodox Judaism, said Mr Kogan was last seen in Dubai.

Israeli authorities reissued their recommendation against all non-essential travel to the UAE and said visitors currently there should minimise movement and remain in secure areas.

The rabbi’s disappearance comes as Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October.

While the Israeli statement did not mention Iran, Iranian intelligence services have carried out past kidnappings in the UAE, where Western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations.

The UAE diplomatically recognised Israel in 2020. Since then, Israelis have come to the UAE to set up businesses and vacation.

Since then, synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners have been set up for the burgeoning Jewish community but the unrest in the Middle East has sparked deep anger in the country.

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