Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are urgently investigating the disappearance of an Israeli-Moldovan dual national who went missing in the UAE on Thursday. Rabbi Zvi Kogan, an envoy of the Orthodox Jewish organisation Chabad, was last seen in Abu Dhabi, where he has been based as part of the Chabad chapter since 2020. His sudden disappearance has raised fears of a terrorist attack, leading to an active investigation by Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed the disappearance, saying that Mossad is leading a thorough investigation, with a focus on possible terrorism. “Israeli security and intelligence organisations, concerned for Mr Kogan's safety and wellbeing, have been working tirelessly on this case,” the office said in a statement, as per The BBC.
Local authorities in the UAE have also launched a search operation, with the country's Interior Ministry confirming its involvement. The ministry's statement, however, did not mention Mr Kogan's Israeli citizenship.
The Times Of Israel reported that Mr Kogan's abandoned car was found in Al Ain, about 150 km from Abu Dhabi, raising suspicions that he may have been kidnapped or murdered. Israeli officials fear he may have been targeted by Iranian agents. Ynet reported that Mr Kogan might have been followed by Iranian intelligence agents before his disappearance. Sources cited by Walla news added that officials believe Mr Kogan may have been assaulted by Uzbek nationals who later fled to Turkey.
Mr Kogan, who is also the nephew of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, a victim of the 2008 terrorist attack on the Nariman Chabad House in Mumbai, had been an active member of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi. He led the first Holocaust remembrance day ceremony in the UAE in 2021 and had worked closely with Rabbi Levi Duchman, the Chief Rabbi of the UAE.
The Israeli government has long warned its citizens about the risks of travelling to the UAE, advising only essential travel due to ongoing "terrorist activity" in the region. This advisory has become especially relevant as tensions rise between Israel and Iran, who have engaged in direct military confrontations this year, including drone and missile attacks by Iran against Israeli targets.
While the UAE and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, Israel remains on high alert due to growing concerns over Iranian-backed operations targeting Israelis abroad. The UAE has continued its ties with Israel despite their ongoing onslaught on Gaza.
