Three arrested after body of missing rabbi found in UAE - as Israeli PM says he was murdered in 'antisemitic terror incident'

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Sunday, 24 November 2024 19:07

Three people have been arrested after the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was found.

Zvi Kogan, the Chabad representative in the UAE, went missing on Thursday.

Ayoob Kara, a former Israeli Druze politician, told the Reuters news agency his body was found three days later in the Emirati city of al Ain, which borders Oman. He said it is unclear whether Mr Kogan was killed there or elsewhere.

The Emirati interior ministry said on its website that authorities had arrested "three perpetrators involved in the murder of Zvi Kogan".

It did not give any further details on the suspects but said the ministry would use "all legal powers to respond decisively and without leniency to any actions or attempts that threaten societal stability".

Earlier on Sunday, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the 28-year-old rabbi was murdered, calling it a "heinous antisemitic terror incident".

"The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death," it said.

An Israeli foreign office official told Reuters that it does not know the identities of the three suspects.

The official said Mr Kogan's body is hopefully going to be repatriated to Israel on Monday, although it is not confirmed.

Israeli intelligence agency Mossad said on Saturday it was investigating the disappearance as suspicions arose that he had been kidnapped.

Mr Kogan lived in the UAE with his wife, Rivky, who is a US citizen.

The Emirati interior ministry said he had entered the UAE using his Moldovan passport and was a resident there. He ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai, which has been the target of online protests by pro-Palestinian supporters, according to the AP news agency.

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Israeli authorities have since reissued their recommendation against all non-essential travel to the UAE and said visitors currently there should minimise movement and remain in secure areas.

The UAE diplomatically recognised Israel in 2020. Since then, synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners have been set up for the burgeoning Jewish community but the unrest in the Middle East has sparked deep anger in the country.

Sky News

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