Mysterious Disappearance of a Rabbi Causes Turmoil in the UAE
Doha, November 23 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is grappling with shock and confusion following the mysterious disappearance of a Jewish rabbi, Zvi Kogan, amid fears that the incident could be linked to regional tensions and potentially harm the country’s image as a premier destination for Israeli nationals in the Middle East.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming that authorities are actively investigating the case, referring to Kogan by his Moldovan nationality while omitting his Israeli citizenship. The statement emphasized that officials are closely monitoring the situation.
Reports and social media posts have circulated images of Kogan, some depicting him in the UAE, and others in Israeli military attire in an undisclosed location, adding to the intrigue.
The UAE’s Ministry of Interior announced receiving a missing person report from Kogan’s family, citing his disappearance and loss of contact since last Thursday. It confirmed that security forces have initiated a thorough investigation and search operation.
In a message to the growing Israeli community in the UAE, comprising hundreds of residents and tens of thousands of tourists and businesspeople, Abu Dhabi urged reliance on official sources of information and warned against spreading rumors or misinformation.
Israeli media, including Ynet and Times of Israel, reported the disappearance of Kogan, identified as a Chabad emissary in Abu Dhabi. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, preliminary investigations suggest the possibility of a terrorist incident. Israeli and Emirati authorities, including the Mossad, are reportedly coordinating efforts to resolve the matter.
The Prime Minister’s Office reiterated a long-standing advisory for Israeli citizens to limit travel to the UAE unless necessary, citing the risk of violence or abductions targeting Israelis amid ongoing regional conflicts.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Kogan, a prominent Chabad rabbi serving the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi, vanished under suspicious circumstances. The Mossad has joined the investigation, considering potential links to terrorism.
The Chabad movement has been a central provider of religious and social services to Jewish expatriates in the UAE and the Gulf region.
Israeli security agencies have issued repeated warnings over the past year, advising citizens abroad to avoid openly displaying their Israeli or Jewish identity due to heightened risks linked to ongoing regional tensions.
The case comes at a sensitive time for the UAE-Israel relationship. Last week, Yossi Shelley, director-general of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, was appointed as Israel’s ambassador to the UAE, highlighting the deepening ties between the two nations, which formally normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
As investigations continue, the disappearance of Rabbi Zvi Kogan underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Israeli nationals abroad and raises questions about regional security dynamics and their potential implications for the UAE-Israel partnership.
