Hebrew media has revealed details about the disappearance of Israeli Rabbi Tzvi Kogan in the UAE, amid speculation that he has been killed, with his body yet to be found.
The UAE’s Ministry of Interior announced that it had received a report from the family of a Moldovan citizen named Tzvi Kogan, indicating his disappearance and loss of contact since last Thursday.
The ministry stated that upon receiving the report, the relevant authorities immediately began search and investigation efforts. It also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors and misleading news aimed at sowing confusion in society.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Kogan was abducted and killed by Uzbek “terrorists” allegedly recruited by Iran, who later fled to Turkey. Israeli authorities are reportedly coordinating with Turkish officials regarding the matter.
Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding the Disappearance
Kogan lost contact with his family last Wednesday. Since then, Israel’s Mossad, in cooperation with UAE authorities, has been investigating his disappearance.
Kogan was a representative of the Chabad Jewish organization in Abu Dhabi and managed a kosher grocery store in the UAE. According to unnamed security sources quoted by Israeli media, he was reportedly being tracked while at his store. His trail vanished shortly thereafter, and his abductors are believed to have fled to Turkey.
Concerns were raised by Kogan’s wife after he failed to attend a scheduled meeting last Wednesday. She subsequently alerted the Chabad organization about his disappearance. Kogan, who served as an assistant to the senior Chabad rabbi in the UAE, was known for managing a kosher store for the Jewish community.
Later, Kogan’s abandoned car was found near Abu Dhabi. Reports indicate that he was en route to Al Ain, approximately 90 minutes from Dubai, when his phone ceased functioning.
Investigative Efforts and Speculations
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli authorities currently lack concrete evidence regarding Kogan’s condition. However, Israel’s Channel 12 stated that intelligence officials had been dispatched to the UAE to assist in the investigation.
According to unnamed security officials cited by Walla News, Israel was aware that Iranian intelligence operatives were monitoring Kogan. As a Chabad envoy in the UAE, Kogan had previously led memorial prayers during the UAE’s first Holocaust commemoration in 2021.
Israeli media suggested that UAE police had received complaints in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi about Kogan’s disappearance as early as Thursday. However, little action was reportedly taken at the time. Intriguingly, Kogan’s car even received a speeding ticket en route to Oman, but authorities failed to follow up, according to i24 News.
UAE police reportedly traced three Uzbek nationals who allegedly kidnapped Kogan last Thursday, but additional details have yet to emerge.
Kogan’s Links to Chabad and Its Controversial Activities
Kogan’s wife is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed with his wife in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Kogan himself was affiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch, a prominent Hasidic Jewish organization with global outreach.
Chabad has been criticized for its ultra-nationalist stances, particularly regarding its role in Israel’s aggression against Gaza. The organization gained attention during the recent Gaza conflict, with its yellow flag appearing on an Israeli tank destroyed by Al-Qassam Brigades in Rafah. The flag features a blue crown and the Hebrew word “Moshiach” (Messiah), symbolizing the belief in the coming of a Jewish savior.
Chabad’s Extreme Ideology
Chabad is known for its extreme ideology, which denies the existence of Palestinians and advocates for their expulsion from occupied Palestine. It opposes any agreements that grant Palestinians rights to their land.
During the latest aggression on Gaza, Chabad actively supported Israeli forces through logistical aid, fundraising, and direct involvement under its name. The organization openly calls for a return to settlements in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
Chabad’s involvement became evident early in the conflict, with Israeli soldiers raising a banner declaring a house in Beit Hanoun, North Gaza, as the “First Chabad House in Gaza.” Soldiers celebrated Hanukkah in the building before withdrawing under heavy resistance strikes, leaving the area devastated.
The Investigation’s Implications
While Israeli and Emirati authorities continue to search for Kogan, the incident has raised serious questions about security and the political implications of Chabad’s activities in the region. The involvement of alleged Iranian agents highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in the region.
For now, the fate of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan remains unknown, as investigations intensify in both the UAE and Turkey.
