How Jews in the UAE are responding to Chabad rabbi’s shocking murder

Jewish leaders in the United Arab Emirates have vowed resilience in the face of tragedy after the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, whose body was discovered on Sunday, prompting a criminal investigation. Three suspects are currently in custody.

“This is a nightmare and a tragedy,” said Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna of the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue at Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House. Speaking in an interview, he added, “None of us could have anticipated this attack could happen.”

Rabbi Kogan, 28, was a Chabad rabbi based in Dubai and ran the Rimon Market kosher supermarket, which had recently been targeted with anti-Israel online reviews. According to reports, mezuzahs affixed to the shop’s doors had been forcibly removed.

Ross Kriel, a prominent Jewish leader in the UAE, shared personal memories of Kogan: "As I review my messages to Zvi they are a mix of wedding invitations for his wedding to Rivky in 2022, orders of arba'ah minim (The components that make up the lulav and etrog for Sukkot) and schnitzel and sharing of Torah verses needed for this or that occasion. The stuff of regular Jewish life... How I wish I could message Zvi right now to thank him one more time.”

The attack has heightened security concerns in the UAE, which has enjoyed stable relations with Israel since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Rabbi Sarna, who was instrumental in establishing Jewish life in the Emirates, sought to reassure the community, describing the UAE as a “safe place” where “security is tight.”

“After this incident, I am sure that precautions which were not taken previously are going to be taken,” Sarna said. “Despite the fear that we are experiencing in the short term, there is going to be a strong building back.”

Jewish leaders noted, however, that life has changed significantly in the Gulf since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. “We’ve kept a lower profile,” Sarna added, revealing that he no longer walks publicly wearing a kippah and tzitzit, opting instead for a baseball cap.

Kosher restaurants in the UAE, he added, lack visible Jewish symbols, “You have to know where they are.”

Rabbi Dr Elie Abadie, a former senior leader of the Jewish Council of the Emirates, confirmed that many Israelis had returned to Israel following the October violence, in part due to security concerns. “The government was concerned for the safety of the Jewish people and requested we be much quieter, not to engender animosity,” he told Israel National News last month.

Nevertheless, Kriel emphasised the resilience of the community, highlighting the support from friends and government officials. “They are as shocked and injured as we are and dedicated to the safety and security of the UAE’s residents and visitors,” he said.

He added: “There is no choice but to continue the humble and elevated efforts to build Jewish life in the UAE so beautifully personified by Tzvi and Rivky. With God’s grace we will continue to serve as a cause for hope and optimism, poignant as it may be after Tzvi’s tragic death.”