Chabad Rabbi In UAE Murdered; Local Chabad Leaders React

The shocking murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan has sent ripples of grief and concern through the UAE, Israel, and the global Jewish community. A 28-year-old emissary of the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement, Rabbi Kogan’s death in the Emirati city of Al Ain marks a dark moment in the evolving relationship between Israel and the UAE, a relationship that has seen remarkable progress since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder, but more details regarding their identity are being withheld. The Emirati Ministry of Interior emphasized its determination to preserve societal stability, vowing to respond decisively to any threats. In a statement, the ministry said that it would use “all legal powers to respond decisively and without leniency to any actions or attempts that threaten societal stability.” Israeli officials, however, have labeled the crime as a “heinous anti-Semitic terrorist act,” alleging that Rabbi Kogan was targeted specifically because of his Jewish identity. Early reporting said that Iran was behind this attack, although Iran has denied involvement.

The tragic murder has sent shockwaves through the global Jewish community. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, two Chabad rabbis from Queens, Rabbi Mendy Hecht of Chabad of Forest Hills North and Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer of Chabad on Campus – Queens, shared their reflections on the tragedy, offering both a personal and communal perspective.

Rabbi Hecht spoke of the overwhelming outpouring of support from the community, highlighting the unity of the Jewish people in the face of such evil. “The outpour of love and care and support from all walks of life to my Chabad, specifically from people I don’t even know, is very heartwarming,” he said. “It only shows that klal Yisrael is united.” He expressed that, despite the immense sorrow, their work at Chabad only continues to grow stronger. “Our activities are not deterred; they’re only going stronger, because that’s what we live for,” he explained. Rabbi Hecht emphasized that the response to this tragedy is clear: “The only answer to this evil is love, goodness, kindness, spreading Torah and mitzvos, spreading light.” He also noted that many people, inspired by Rabbi Kogan’s legacy, have been coming to his wife’s classes and engaging in mitzvos, including putting on t’filin.

Rabbi Wertheimer spoke about Rabbi and Mrs. Kogan’s selfless mission as Chabad shluchim. “Rabbi Zvi Hy”d and Rivky Kogan could have lived wherever they wanted, in a comfortable Jewish neighborhood. He was from Jerusalem, while she grew up in Brooklyn. But they chose to live in the UAE, amongst b’nei Yishmael, in order to help Jewish people,” he said. Rabbi Wertheimer explained that the Kogans’ decision to live in the UAE, far from the comforts of home, embodied the spirit of Chabad shluchim, who go to the farthest corners of the world to help Jews and connect them to their faith. “Young Chabad couples do not set out on shlichus for their personal comfort; they move to all corners of the world, near and far, to help a Jew do a mitzvah and connect to Hashem.”

As Rabbi Wertheimer continued, he echoed the sentiment of solidarity that has emerged from the tragedy. “Although I do not personally know Rabbi Zvi and Rivky, we are part of the same family of shluchim – and part of the family of am Yisrael,” he said. The grief felt by the Jewish community, he noted, is not something that can be easily understood or explained. “We don’t understand how this horrible tragedy could have happened. But it’s not up to us to ask why.” He emphasized that the response to such darkness should be an increase in light, urging everyone, whether they are Chabad shluchim or not, to reflect on how they can contribute to the greater good. “All of us need to ask ourselves what we can do next. How can we increase our personal Torah and mitzvos, and how can we reach out to more and more Jews?” His words resonated deeply: “We answer darkness with light. More and more light.”

Rabbi Kogan was a visible figure within the UAE’s small but significant Jewish community, which has flourished since normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE. His contributions went beyond spiritual leadership; he embodied the UAE’s commitment to religious coexistence. This murder, described as an “attack on our homeland, on our values, and on our vision” by Emirati Ambassador to Washington Yousef Al Otaiba, challenges that vision. The UAE has worked to position itself as a beacon of religious tolerance, hosting communities of various faiths, including its nascent Jewish population.

The Jewish community in the UAE, estimated to number several thousand, is now grappling with shock and fear. Informal synagogues in Dubai have already closed due to security concerns since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, highlighting heightened sensitivities in the wake of escalating violence in Gaza.

Israeli officials have hinted at possible Iranian involvement in the murder, a claim Tehran has categorically denied. Iran’s alleged role, if proven, would have far-reaching implications, particularly given the UAE’s delicate balancing act between fostering ties with Israel and maintaining stable relations with regional powers like Iran. The investigation into Rabbi Kogan’s death must navigate these political crosscurrents without jeopardizing the UAE’s carefully cultivated image of neutrality and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has underscored Israel’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice, with all relevant Israeli agencies involved in the investigation. The collaboration between Israeli and Emirati authorities will be a litmus test for the strength and resilience of the Abraham Accords amidst a backdrop of heightened global anti-Semitism and regional strife.

The murder of Rabbi Kogan is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by Jewish and Israeli individuals in a region marked by historical animosities. While the Abraham Accords signaled a new era of cooperation, the current geopolitical climate remains fraught. The UAE’s Jewish community has become less publicly visible following the Hamas-Israel conflict, reflecting both security concerns and the polarized global response to the ongoing war.

Still, the response from Emirati leadership has been unequivocal in condemning the act. This incident may challenge UAE-Israel relations in the short term but is unlikely to derail the broader trajectory of normalization. Economic cooperation, investment, and shared strategic interests, particularly regarding counterterrorism, form the backbone of this evolving partnership.

This speaks more broadly about the strength of the Accords, and the potential that could be coming from a second Trump administration. With the end of the Iran nuclear deal fast approaching, the region will be looking to get behind the only nation that has stood toe-to-toe with Iran and walked away stronger: Israel. Saudi Arabia has long since been rumored to be the next on the list to sign onto the Accords, and more nations will follow to create a bloc against an increasingly hostile Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza.

As investigations continue, the UAE faces a critical juncture. Ensuring justice for Rabbi Kogan will require not only holding the perpetrators accountable, but also reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to protecting minority communities. This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the need to uphold the principles of coexistence in a world increasingly polarized by hate.

Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s murder is a profound loss to his family, his community, and the ideals he represented. As Israelis, Emiratis, and the broader international community reflect on this tragedy, it is imperative that it becomes a catalyst for greater vigilance, dialogue, and unity against forces that seek to divide. Only through such efforts can the vision of peace embodied by the Abraham Accords endure.

By Moshe Hill