The disappearance of a Chabad emissary, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, in Abu Dhabi is being investigated by the Mossad and United Arab Emirates intelligence agencies, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced in a statement on Saturday evening.
“Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and Chabad emissary residing in the United Arab Emirates, has been missing since Thursday afternoon (November 21, 2024),” the PMO wrote.
“Since his disappearance, and based on information indicating a potential terror incident, an intensive investigation has been launched in the country.”
PMO says Israeli intelligence security agencies working to locate Kogan
“Israeli intelligence and security agencies are working tirelessly out of concern for Zvi Kogan’s safety and well-being.”
“It should be noted that the National Security Council has previously issued a Level 3 travel warning (moderate threat) for the United Arab Emirates, advising against non-essential travel to the destination and recommending heightened precautions for those staying there,” the PMO concluded.
There is growing suspicion that Kogan may have been kidnapped or murdered by terrorists, as he has been missing since Wednesday, Israeli media stated. His family stated that he had not made any contact in recent days since his disappearance, N12 reported.
The Jerusalem Post has learned that reports that claim that authorities know that Kogan was killed are not true, only speculation. Authorities currently do not have concrete knowledge about his state.
Kogan is an Israeli who served in the IDF, managed a supermarket in Dubai, and is married to an American woman.
Information in Israel’s possession indicates that the Kogan may have been under Iranian surveillance, Israeli media noted.
This is a developing story.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
