The Israeli authorities announced that they had denounced a rabbi in the Emirates, and announced new measures, on Sunday, regarding travel to the wealthy Gulf country.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his sadness and denounced the killing of Rabbi Zvi Kogen in the Emirates, describing the incident as an “anti-Semitic hate attack”.
Herzog said, “This horrific attack is a reminder of the brutality of the enemies of the Jews. transit customers around the world.”
The President of Israel praised the quick action of the UAE authorities, expressing his confidence that they will work hard to bring those responsible for the crime to justice.
Herzog offered his deepest condolences to Rabbi Kogin’s wife and family.
For his part, Israel’s Defense Minister Yisrael Katz strongly condemned the killing of Kogin, describing the incident as “a devious and anti-Semitic terrorist crime”. Katz emphasized that “the State of Israel will not rest until those responsible for this heinous act are held accountable for their actions.”
He also sent his deepest condolences to the Coggin family during these difficult times, and praised the efforts of everyone involved in the investigation.
Travel warning
After Kogin’s killing, Israel’s National Security Authority issued a statement on Sunday in which they emphasized the travel warning for the UAE.
The statement recommends that Israelis avoid non-essential travel to the country due to ongoing terrorist threats against Israelis and Jews in the region.
The statement said the travel warning for the Emirates is currently classified at level three (moderate risk), with recommendations to adhere to a number of measures, including “avoiding places where Israelis and Jews practice, avoiding being present in commercial establishments, gathering places, and recreational facilities that are known to be associated with the Israeli community or Judaism.
The recommendations also include: “Increasing vigilance in public places such as restaurants, hotels and bars, avoiding displaying Israeli symbols in public places, cooperating with authorities local, adhere to their guidelines, immediately report any suspicious activity, avoid publishing travel information on social. media, and refrain from publishing… Photos or visiting sites before or during the trip, minimize movement within the country and stay in safe places.”
A joint statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the UAE authorities announced that the body of Kogan, who had been missing since Thursday, November 21, 2024, had been found.
The Israeli government strongly condemned this act, described as terrorism, and confirmed that it intended to use all means available to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
On Saturday evening, Israeli security sources revealed investigations showing that an Uzbek cell under the direction of Iran could be involved in the disappearance of Kogin, representative of the Chabad movement in the Emirates, according to the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Fears for Cogen’s life increased three days after he went missing in an area about an hour and 30 minutes away from Dubai.
The Mossad announced that “Zvi Kogen, an Israeli-Moldovan citizen and representative of the Chabad movement who lives in the Emirates, has been missing since Thursday evening. incident, the authorities have opened an intensive investigation in the country.”
He said, “Israeli intelligence and security services are working hard out of concern for the safety and security of Zvi Kogen.”
The incident happened last Thursday, when Rabbi Kogen did not attend his scheduled meetings and did not respond to the calls of his wife, who in turn informed the security officer in the Chabad movement, and the latter contacted the security authorities in Israel, which led to Mossad taking over the case, and began using its resources to reveal details of the incident and what happened to Kōgen.
The rabbi’s car was found in the city of Al Ain, which Israeli authorities believed was a sign that a cell had been following him since he left Dubai, before he was kidnapped while he was monitor halal (kosher) procedures in a local store.
Initial investigations in Israel indicate the involvement of citizens of Uzbekistan who later fled to Turkey, with indications that Iran was behind the operation, making it classified as a terrorist operation.
2024-11-24 09:11:00
#Criticism #Israeli #measures #killing #rabbi #Emirates
**Considering the Israeli government’s travel warnings for the UAE, what specific security measures should Jewish individuals and organizations prioritize when traveling to or residing in the region, and how can they best balance personal safety with the importance of interfaith engagement?**
## The Murder of Rabbi Kogin: An Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the tragic killing of Rabbi Zvi Kogin in the UAE and the subsequent travel warnings issued by the Israeli government. We are joined by two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. Sarah Ben-David:** An expert on Middle Eastern Geopolitics and International Security.
* **Rabbi David Cohen:** A prominent figure in the Chabad movement with extensive experience in interfaith dialog.
**Section 1: The Incident and its Impact:**
**Host:** Dr. Ben-David, let’s start with the facts. What can you tell us about the circumstances surrounding Rabbi Kogin’s death?
**Dr. Ben-David:**
**(Elaboration on the details of the incident, potential motives, and the involvement of Iranian intelligence as suggested in the article, emphasizing the complexity of the situation and the need for a full investigation.)**
**Host:** Rabbi Cohen, this incident has understandably caused great distress within the Jewish community, particularly the Chabad movement. Can you share your thoughts and feelings about this tragedy?
**Rabbi Cohen:**
**(Emphasize the grief and shock within the community, discussing Rabbi Kogin’s contributions and the impact of his loss. Address the concerns of Jewish communities in the UAE and globally.)**
**Section 2: Geopolitical Context and Implications:**
**Host:** Dr. Ben-David, how do you view this event within the broader context of Israeli-UAE relations and the regional security landscape?
**Dr. Ben-David:**
**(Discuss the potential implications of the incident for the Abraham Accords and regional stability. Analyze the role of Iran in regional tensions and their suspected involvement. Consider the complexities involved in attributing responsibility and navigating international diplomacy in such a situation.)**
**Section 3: Travel Warnings and Security Measures:**
**Host:** Rabbi Cohen, the Israeli government has issued a travel warning for the UAE, citing ongoing terrorist threats. What message would you send to Jewish individuals considering travel to the region?
**Rabbi Cohen:**
**(Offer a balanced perspective, acknowledging the concerns raised by the Israeli government while emphasizing the importance of responsible travel decisions. Discuss the need for vigilance and preparedness while promoting interfaith dialog and understanding.)**
**Host:** Dr. Ben-David, what are your thoughts on the effectiveness of travel warnings in deterring potential threats and protecting citizens?
**Dr. Ben-David:**
**(Analyze the role of travel warnings in mitigating risk. Discuss their limitations and potential downsides, such as contributing to Islamophobia and undermining diplomatic efforts. Offer alternative approaches to ensuring the safety of citizens abroad.)**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead:**
**Host:** Both of you, what are your hopes for the future following this tragedy?
**Rabbi Cohen:**
**(Express a commitment to peace, understanding, and interfaith dialog. Call for justice and accountability for Rabbi Kogin’s murder. Encourage continued engagement between communities and a focus on building bridges instead of walls.)**
**Dr. Ben-David:**
**(Emphasize the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the truth behind the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Advocate for diplomacy and cooperation to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Highlight the importance of addressing root causes of extremism and promoting regional stability.)**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for sharing your invaluable insights on this deeply troubling event. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to peace and security in our world. We hope that through open dialog, thoughtful reflection, and a commitment to justice, we can work towards a future where such tragedies are prevented.
