Confusion in the UAE Following the Mysterious Disappearance of a Jewish Rabbi

A wave of shock and confusion has swept through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the mysterious disappearance of a Jewish rabbi, amid concerns in Abu Dhabi about the incident’s potential ties to regional tensions and its impact on the country’s reputation as a prime destination for Israelis in the region.

The UAE’s apprehension was reflected in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that authorities are actively investigating the disappearance of Rabbi “Zvi Kogan.” The statement, however, notably avoided mentioning his Israeli nationality, referring instead to his Moldovan citizenship.

Photos of Kogan have circulated in various media outlets since news of his disappearance broke. Some images show him in the UAE, while others depict him in Israeli military attire in an unspecified location.

The UAE’s Ministry of Interior confirmed receiving a report from the family of “Zvi Kogan,” a Moldovan citizen, stating that they had lost contact with him since last Thursday. Authorities have initiated search and investigation efforts.

In an initial message to Israelis—hundreds of whom reside in the UAE, with tens of thousands more visiting for tourism and business—Abu Dhabi urged reliance on official sources for information and warned against falling for misleading rumors or false news aimed at causing public unrest.

Earlier, Israeli media reported that a representative of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi had disappeared several days ago, sparking concerns in Abu Dhabi about the potential implications for normalization ties.

According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, an Israeli citizen with Moldovan nationality residing in the UAE has been missing since Thursday, raising suspicions of a possible “terror-related” incident, as reported by the Hebrew news outlet Ynet.

The site added that Israeli security agencies are coordinating with Abu Dhabi to investigate the unusual case.

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel noted that the Prime Minister’s Office reminded Israeli citizens that the National Security Council advises against traveling to the UAE except for essential reasons.

On Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that an Israeli citizen with Moldovan nationality residing in the UAE had been missing since Thursday. The statement hinted at a potential terror-related cause behind the disappearance of “Zvi Kogan.”

An official statement from the Israeli government emphasized that “terrorist elements operating in the UAE pose a serious threat to Israelis residing or visiting the country (…). This warning does not apply to transit passengers but advises them to remain within the airport’s boundaries until their next flight.”

Israel’s national broadcasting authority reported that contact with the rabbi was lost on Wednesday, with suspicions ranging from abduction to assassination by “terrorist elements.” Israeli security agencies, including Mossad, are reportedly involved in the investigation.

The Wall Street Journal added that the disappearance of the Chabad rabbi raises fears of targeted attacks on Israeli citizens abroad. According to the publication, Mossad is actively investigating the rabbi’s disappearance, with indications that “terrorism” may be a factor in the case.

In a rare statement, Mossad revealed that Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen, disappeared on Thursday afternoon.

Kogan served as an emissary of the Chabad Orthodox Jewish movement in Abu Dhabi, where he lived and worked. Chabad Abu Dhabi provides religious and social services to the Jewish community, predominantly made up of expatriates in the UAE and the broader Gulf region. Chabad’s mission extends to over 100 countries worldwide.

Israeli security agencies have repeatedly warned their citizens over the past year to limit international travel and avoid outward displays of Israeli or Jewish identity, fearing violence or abduction amid tensions stemming from the ongoing war in Gaza, which has persisted for over a year and spread throughout the Middle East.

Israel has yet to provide additional details regarding suspicions linked to Kogan’s disappearance. If confirmed as an attack, it would validate long-standing fears of violence targeting Israelis abroad.

Notably, last week, Yossi Shelley, Director General of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, was formally appointed as Israel’s ambassador to the UAE. The UAE openly normalized relations with Israel in 2020, following years of clandestine cooperation with Abu Dhabi’s regime.