Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, the envoy of the Jewish "Chabad" religious movement, was found dead in the UAE, reports The Times of Israel.
Kogan, a citizen of Israel and Moldova, has stopped communicating since November 21. The Israeli security services said that it is believed that he was kidnapped and killed, and the Mossad has launched an investigation. As it became known to the Israeli intelligence services, Kogan was followed by three citizens of Uzbekistan in the UAE.
As Ynet reports, Kogan's car was found abandoned in the Al Ain region, 150 kilometers from Abu Dhabi.
"The murder of Tzvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic act of terrorism. The State of Israel will act by all means to bring to justice the criminals responsible for his death," said the statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel's National Security Council urges people not to visit Abu Dhabi unless absolutely necessary.
Kogan was Chabad's envoy to the UAE after the settlement of relations between Israel and the Emirates.
In August 2020, the authorities of Israel and the UAE agreed to fully normalize relations. The Emirates then became the third Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.
In January 2021, the Embassy of Israel started operating in Abu Dhabi.
