UAE’s Gamble on Providing a “Safe Haven for Israelis” Collapses

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) efforts to position itself as a “safe haven for Israelis” have suffered a major blow following the killing of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, whose body was found days after he went missing.

The incident has intensified security concerns in the UAE and raised questions about a potential shift in the country’s security landscape for Israelis. This comes just a few years after the UAE normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords.

A Shaken Security Promise

In response to Kogan’s death, Israel’s National Security Council issued a revised travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary trips to the UAE. The council stated, “An Israeli citizen was killed by terrorist elements in the UAE, and there is concern of an ongoing threat to Israelis.”

Tzvi Kogan, affiliated with the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement, was reported missing in Dubai last Thursday. Chabad operates globally to support Jewish communities, including expatriates and visitors in the Gulf region.

The situation took a grim turn when former Israeli Druze politician Ayoub Kara confirmed that Kogan’s body was found in Al Ain, near the Omani border. While it remains unclear whether Kogan was killed there or elsewhere, UAE authorities are still investigating.

Diplomatic and Social Impact

UAE officials have treaded cautiously, with no explicit acknowledgment of Kogan’s Israeli nationality. Instead, a statement from the Ministry of the Interior referred to him as a Moldovan citizen. Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, emphasized the country’s commitment to being a “haven of stability and coexistence” without directly referencing the incident.

The killing has already prompted changes within the local Jewish community. Informal synagogues in Dubai, which previously catered to hundreds of worshippers, have closed due to security concerns, with gatherings now held in private homes. The only officially recognized synagogue in Abu Dhabi remains operational.

Israeli and International Reactions

Israel has reissued its advisory against non-essential travel to the UAE, instructing visitors to remain within secure areas and avoid locations associated with Israel or the Jewish community. The Prime Minister’s Office reminded citizens that the UAE might harbor elements posing a “real threat” to Israelis.

The Wall Street Journal highlighted growing fears that Israeli citizens could become targets outside of Israel, while The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad is investigating Kogan’s disappearance and has not ruled out terrorism as a motive.

Broader Security Challenges

The killing of Kogan underscores broader risks Israelis face in the region, amplified by the ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli security agencies have, for over a year, warned citizens to limit travel abroad and avoid overt displays of Israeli or Jewish identity due to fears of violence or kidnapping.

This warning comes as tensions remain high following Israel’s normalization of relations with several Arab countries. The UAE, despite its historic diplomatic ties with Israel, now grapples with how to balance its image as a welcoming destination for Israelis against the heightened regional tensions.

The Political Dimension

The incident has also sparked concerns in Israeli political circles. It coincides with the recent appointment of Yossi Shelley, director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, as Israel’s ambassador to the UAE. This comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

However, the killing of a high-profile Jewish figure like Kogan threatens to undermine the perception of the UAE as a secure destination for Israelis. It has also reignited debates about the implications of deepening Israeli-Arab ties under fraught regional circumstances.