UAE Arrests Suspects in Rabbi Murder Case

In a swift move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has detained three people linked to the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, Zvi Kogan. The UAE's Interior Ministry announced the arrests on a recent Sunday, stating that the suspects were apprehended quickly following Kogan's disappearance. The rabbi, who was a resident and representative of Chabad Lubavitch in Abu Dhabi, was found dead after a missing person report was filed. Authorities have started legal proceedings against the suspects. The Israeli government condemned the incident as an antisemitic terrorist act and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his country's commitment to dealing with the criminals responsible for Kogan's death. The rabbi's disappearance had sparked fears of kidnapping, given his prominent role in the Jewish community. Israel's National Security Bureau advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE and to be cautious while in the country. They advised against displaying Israeli symbols and visiting areas associated with the Israeli and Jewish population due to ongoing security concerns. Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized that the attack would not deter Israelis from building communities in the UAE or elsewhere. The UAE's diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, reaffirmed the country's commitment to being a safe and cohesive community, though he did not directly mention Kogan's death. Earlier, Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, had begun investigating the disappearance after receiving information suggesting a terrorist incident. The UAE's Interior Ministry had received a report from Kogan's family about his disappearance and immediately initiated search and investigation operations. In a government meeting, Netanyahu praised the UAE's cooperation in the investigation. Kogan's disappearance comes during a tumultuous period in the region, with Iran and Israel exchanging fire in October and ongoing military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon. While there is no confirmed involvement of Iran, its intelligence services have been accused of past kidnappings in the UAE.