UAE: Three Arrested in Connection With Rabbi's Murder

Facts

• The UAE on Sunday announced that three suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, 28, a Moldovan national with Israeli citizenship who had been working in the country.^[1][2]
• The UAE's Ministry of the Interior said the three suspects are from Uzbekistan — Olimpi Tohirovich, 28, Makhmudjon Abdurrahim, 28, and Azizi Kamilovich, 33.^[3]
• Kogan, who went missing Thursday, was found dead in the city of Al Ain. He had been working for the Orthodox Jewish organization Chabad, which brings religious and non-religious Jews together across the world.^[4][5]
• A UAE official called the alleged murder "an attack on our homeland, on our values, and on our vision." The Moldovan Foreign Affairs Ministry said it's "in contact" with the UAE and Israel "to clarify the circumstances and support the victim's family."^[2][6]
• While UAE authorities haven't found a motive, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "heinous antisemitic terrorist act." Israel, where Kogan's body will be sent for burial, has reportedly also suggested Iranian involvement in the death.^[5]
• The UAE's Jewish community, which has grown since the 2020 Abraham Accords, expressed shock, with informal synagogues in Dubai closed due to security concerns, though Abu Dhabi's government-approved synagogue remains open. Israel warned citizens to limit travel and movement.^[1]

Sources: ^[1]Reuters, ^[2]Khaleej Times, ^[3]NBC, ^[4]Middle East Eye, ^[5]The Jerusalem Post and ^[6]Moldova.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Israel Hayom and MOI. In the wake of this murder, both Arab and Israeli authorities will work to condemn all violence and protect Jews around the world. Amid rising antisemitism and security threats, particularly from Iran, Jewish leaders and allies will intensify protective measures and prove that faith and unity are stronger than violence and evil.
• Narrative B, as provided by Tehran Times. Though Israel was quick to blame Iran for the rabbi's murder, the real story is the continued failure of Israel's intelligence apparatus. Iran had nothing to do with what looks like an independent act of violence. But Israel, seeking to save face, blamed Tehran anyway to not expose its shortcomings.