Emirates confirms murder of Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, all three perpetrators arrested

The United Arab Emirates on Sunday confirmed the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi in the country, described as“anti-Semitic” by Israel, announcing the arrest of the perpetrators. The body of Tzvi Kogan, 28, who had been missing since Thursday in the Emirates where he was based, was found lifeless on Sunday by the Emirati authorities, sparking indignation in Israel.

“The Emirati authorities arrested in record time the three perpetrators of the murder of Zvi Kogan, a Moldovan national according to his identity documents at the time of his entry into the United Arab Emirates, where he was residing”indicated the Emirati Ministry of the Interior in a press release relayed by the national agency Wam. A “specialized research and investigation team was quickly assembled” after the announcement of his disappearance, leading “to the discovery of the victim’s body, the identification and arrest of the perpetrators”continued the ministry. “Details of the incident will be released at the end of the investigation”he clarified.

Ultra-hortodoxe

The Gulf country, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, also said it was determined “to respond firmly to any attempt to undermine security and stability” of the country.

The Israeli government had earlier denounced “a heinous act of anti-Semitic terrorism”specifying that “The State of Israel will use all means at its disposal to ensure that justice is done and that those responsible for his death are held accountable”.

Married for six months according to Israeli media, Rabbi Tzvi Kogan was an emissary of Chabad Lubavitch, an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic movement with a global missionary commitment aimed at strengthening Jewish identity and bringing Jews closer to their faith. An Israeli Foreign Ministry official said she hoped the remains would be repatriated Monday for burial in Israel.