Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv are investigating the disappearance of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen and a member of the Chabad Jewish community in the United Arab Emirates. The rabbi has been missing since Wednesday, November 21, and the UAE Ministry of Interior has for the first time issued a statement indicating that "extensive measures" are underway to find him, but did not mention his Israeli citizenship. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the disappearance of Zvi Kogan on Saturday, December 2, stating that the incident is considered a potential terrorist act. Additionally, Benjamin Netanyahu's office has urged Israeli citizens to travel to the UAE only when necessary. Israeli media have reported that the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) and UAE security agencies are investigating the incident. According to security sources, concerns are growing about the possibility of Rabbi Kogan being kidnapped or murdered. Some of these sources claim that there is information indicating that Iranian intelligence agencies have been tracking Rabbi Kogan. Rabbi Kogan's family has informed the Israeli media outlet "N-12" that he has had no contact with them since Wednesday. The Israeli media outlet "Ynet" has also reported that the possibility of his murder is increasingly being discussed, while the media outlet "Walla" cited two anonymous sources stating that he may have been kidnapped or killed by terrorists. Although there is still no definitive information about Rabbi Kogan's fate or any potential connection of the Iranian government to this incident, the history of the Islamic Republic's attempts to attack Israeli citizens and Jews outside Iran's borders has fueled these concerns.
UAE and Israel Investigating the Disappearance of Rabbi Zvi Kogan
Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, has disappeared in the UAE, prompting investigations by both Israeli and Emirati authorities. The incident is being treated as a potential terrorist act, with concerns about Iranian involvement. This situation raises alarms due to the history of Iranian threats against Israeli citizens abroad.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Rabbi Zvi Kogan has been missing in the UAE since November 21, prompting investigations by Israeli and Emirati authorities, with concerns about a possible terrorist act and Iranian involvement.
- The UAE Ministry of Interior is conducting extensive measures to locate Rabbi Kogan.
- Israeli authorities are treating the incident as a potential terrorist act, with fears of kidnapping or murder.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of targeting Israeli citizens and Jewish individuals outside its borders, raising concerns about their safety in regions like the UAE.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%