The remains of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who was reported missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been discovered, according to statements from Israel.
Zvi Kogan, the Chabad representative in the UAE, disappeared on Thursday.
A communiqué from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office on Sunday confirmed that the 28-year-old rabbi had been murdered, describing the act as a “barbaric antisemitic terror incident”.
“The state of Israel will utilize all available measures to pursue justice for those responsible for his murder,” the statement said.
On Saturday, the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad reported that it was investigating the case amid fears that he had been abducted.
The Emirati government has yet to make an official statement acknowledging the discovery of Mr. Kogan’s body. Its interior ministry has indicated that the rabbi was “missing and out of contact”.
“Specialized authorities promptly commenced search and investigation efforts following the report,” the interior ministry remarked.
Mr. Kogan resided in the UAE with his wife Rivky, a U.S. citizen, and operated a kosher grocery in Dubai, which has faced online protests from pro-Palestinian activists.
The Chabad Lubavitch movement, a significant and observant faction of Orthodox Judaism, reported that Mr. Kogan was last spotted in Dubai.
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The rabbi’s disappearance coincides with escalating threats from Iran to retaliate against Israel following hostilities between the two nations in October.
While the Israeli declaration regarding Mr. Kogan did not specify Iran, Iranian intelligence has a history of conducting abductions in the UAE.
The UAE formally recognized Israel in 2020. Since that time, synagogues and establishments catering to kosher dining have been established to support the growing Jewish community; however, unrest in the Middle East has incited considerable anger in the nation.
