Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan Laid to Rest in Israel After Tragic UAE Murder Shocks the World
Israeli Rabbi Killed in UAE in Suspected Antisemitic Attack; Suspects in Custody
On November 25, 2024, hundreds of mourners in Kfar Chabad, Israel, attended the emotional burial of Zvi Kogan, a 28-year-old rabbi who was murdered in the United Arab Emirates in what has been described as an antisemitic terrorist attack. Kogan, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary based in the UAE, was discovered dead in Al Ain last week. Three Uzbek nationals—Olimboy Tohirovich, 28, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, 28, and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33—have been detained by Emirati authorities in connection with the crime.
Kogan’s father, Alexander Kogan, spoke during the rainy funeral, expressing heartbreak over his son’s untimely death. “The whole world is shaken by your murder—they hate us around the world because we are Jews,” he said. The burial took place at Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.
Chabad Emissary's Legacy
Kogan was a prominent figure in the UAE's growing Jewish community, working to expand Jewish life alongside Chief Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Duchman. His efforts included managing a kosher supermarket and contributing to Jewish education initiatives. His work in the UAE symbolized the Abraham Accords’ spirit of coexistence, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE in 2020.
Global Condemnation and Calls for Justice
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, labeling it “an abhorrent antisemitic terrorist act.” Leaders worldwide, including Moldova's President Maia Sandu and UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba, denounced the crime. Otaiba emphasized the UAE's commitment to tolerance and peaceful coexistence, adding that the murder was an affront to the country's values.
In Washington, the White House urged swift accountability. Jared Kushner and his brother Joshua pledged $2 million in donations to Chabad in the UAE, advocating for peace and solidarity amid the tragedy.
Investigation and Security Implications
The UAE's Ministry of Interior confirmed that preliminary investigations are underway to uncover the motives and circumstances of the crime. While initial speculation pointed to Iranian involvement, Tehran has categorically denied these claims, stating, “Iran rejects allegations of involvement.”
The incident has heightened security concerns, with Israel issuing renewed travel advisories for its citizens in the UAE, urging caution and limiting non-essential travel.
Community Impact
The killing has shaken the small but active Jewish and Israeli communities in the UAE. The Jewish population in the country, estimated at 2,000 to 4,000, has played a significant role in building interfaith bridges. Kogan's death is seen as a tragic setback to these efforts.
Despite the challenges, the Jewish community remains resilient. In honor of Kogan’s memory, several babies have already been named after him, signifying hope and continuity in the face of tragedy.
This heinous act has left a deep void, not only for Kogan’s family but for the broader communities he touched through his work. His legacy, however, is a testament to his dedication to fostering peace and Jewish life in a region that continues to navigate complex interfaith dynamics.
Reflection
Zvi Kogan’s life and untimely death underline the fragility of peaceful coexistence in a volatile region. Yet, the global outpouring of support signals that his work toward mutual understanding and respect remains a shared goal for many.
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