The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was tragically kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Abu Dhabi.

Rabbi Kogan began his vital work in the United Arab Emirates shortly after the signing of the Abraham Accords with Israel. He served as an assistant rabbi, oversaw kashrut, and managed a kosher supermarket in Dubai, contributing significantly to the local Jewish community.

EAJC leaders are closely monitoring the ongoing investigation into this horrific crime. According to Israeli security services, Rabbi Kogan’s murder was an anti-Semitic terrorist act, reportedly orchestrated by Iranian operatives. The Congress urges law enforcement authorities in both Israel and the UAE to spare no effort in bringing those responsible, including the masterminds behind the attack, to justice.

Since the signing of the Abraham Accords four years ago, the EAJC has maintained strong ties with the Jewish community in the UAE. Strengthening and expanding the Accords is a top priority for the Congress across various spheres, including public diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, business, science, and cultural exchange.

The murder of Rabbi Kogan is a barbaric act of terrorism aimed, among other goals, at undermining the relationship between nations. We must not allow terrorism to dictate the future. A fitting response to such violence is to deepen intergovernmental, economic, and scientific ties, reinforcing the bonds of cooperation and mutual respect that the Abraham Accords represent.

May Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s memory be a blessing.