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By Chabadinfo Reporter

Over Shabbos, news broke that Rabbi Zvi Kogan, Shliach in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, who has been missing since Wednesday, is feared to have been abducted or murdered, Rachmana Litzlan.

Rabbi Kogan works in Abu Dhabi together with several Shluchim under Shliach Rabbi Levi Duchman, the chief rabbi of the Jewish community in the UAE. According to the family members, the suspicion began when he did not show up for scheduled meetings that he had on Wednesday.

After failing to show up during the day Rabbi Kogan’s wife turned to the Chabad House’s security chief. Who turned to the local authorities and the Israeli Foreign Ministry was updated on the incident. It was also reported that Kogan’s vehicle received a speeding ticket on its way to Oman – but in this instance as well, neither the UAE nor than Oman authorities took action.

The investigation is being investigated jointly by Israeli and UAE officials, the investigation is currently tracing the route he took before disappearing and whether Iran is behind this.

The Mossad is involved in the case and, as mentioned, the main suspicion is that this is a terror incident. The Shliach’s family members reported that he has not contacted them since Wednesday.

Kogan’s car is found in the area of ​​the city of Al Ain, which is an hour and a half drive from Dubai – abandoned, his phone is turned off. In Israel, they know that the Uzbek squad that hit him left on a flight to Turkey. An Israeli delegation went to the United Arab Emirates to conduct the investigation.

According to Arutz Sheva, it is believed that Rabbi Kogan was attacked by three Uzbeks, who are suspected of having been hired by Iran. The three allegedly followed Kogan from his workplace, the kosher supermarket in Abu Dhabi, and then escaped to Turkey. Kogan’s vehicle was found an hour and a half from Dubai.

The office of Israel’s Prime Minister said in a statement on behalf of the Mossad and the National Security Council:

“Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen, a Chabad emissary in the UAE, has been missing since Thursday, November 21, 2024. Since his disappearance, and given information indicating that this is a terrorist incident, an active investigation has been going on in the country.

“Israeli security and intelligence orgs, concerned for Kogan’s safety and wellbeing, have been working tirelessly on this case.

“This also serves as a reminder that for a while, per the recommendations of the NSC, there has been a level 3 – moderate travel warning issued for the UAE, with a recommendation to avoid any non-essential travel there, and for those who are in the country – take extra precautions.”

His older brother Rabbi Reuven Kogan, is the brother-in-law of Rabbi Levi Duchman, the Shliach in Dubai. R’ Reuven manages the entire organizational and administrative setup of the Jewish communities in the UAE and is considered the central person in the community alongside Rabbi Dochman. The Kogan brothers grew up in Yerushalayim in a Litvishe family, became close to Chabad, and became active in the Jewish community in the UAE.

This is a breaking story and will be updated when available.

Please say a Tehillim for the immediate and safe return of Tzvi HaKohen ben Etel.

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