UAE Court Sentences Three to Death for Murder of Israeli Rabbi
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal's ruling follows the premeditated killing of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan in November 2024.
On March 31, 2025, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal announced the sentencing of three individuals to death for the premeditated murder of Tzvi Kogan, a Moldovan-Israeli rabbi, in November 2024. A fourth individual received a life sentence in connection with the same case.
The court's ruling stated that the defendants had intentionally targeted Kogan as part of a terrorist act.
Rabbi Kogan, who was affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was reported missing in November, with authorities discovering his body in Al Ain, a UAE city near the Oman border, shortly thereafter.
The incident has drawn international attention, particularly from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who characterized the murder as a significant act of anti-Semitic terrorism.
Evidence presented during the trial included detailed confessions from the defendants, forensic analysis, as well as witness testimonies that confirmed the premeditated nature of the crime.
The prosecution established that the accused had stalked Rabbi Kogan prior to the execution of the murder.
According to the UAE Attorney General, the court's decision reflects the country's stringent approach to countering terrorism and underscores its commitment to enforcing laws that maintain public order and safety.
The Attorney General emphasized the UAE's dedication to upholding justice while providing protections for individuals of various religions and nationalities residing in the country.
Following the sentencing, a broader context of shifting dynamics for the Israeli and Jewish community in the UAE emerged.
The community has experienced increasing visibility since Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
However, in light of escalating tensions in the region and the onset of violence involving Israel and Gaza in October 2023, many members of the Jewish community in the UAE have opted to minimize their public presence, including the temporary closure of synagogues for safety reasons.
Reports indicate that Jewish residents have resorted to holding private gatherings for religious observance.
The exact number of Israeli and Jewish expatriates currently residing in the UAE remains unclear, but estimates suggest they may include several thousand individuals, reflecting the growing ties between the two nations following the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The court's ruling stated that the defendants had intentionally targeted Kogan as part of a terrorist act.
Rabbi Kogan, who was affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was reported missing in November, with authorities discovering his body in Al Ain, a UAE city near the Oman border, shortly thereafter.
The incident has drawn international attention, particularly from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who characterized the murder as a significant act of anti-Semitic terrorism.
Evidence presented during the trial included detailed confessions from the defendants, forensic analysis, as well as witness testimonies that confirmed the premeditated nature of the crime.
The prosecution established that the accused had stalked Rabbi Kogan prior to the execution of the murder.
According to the UAE Attorney General, the court's decision reflects the country's stringent approach to countering terrorism and underscores its commitment to enforcing laws that maintain public order and safety.
The Attorney General emphasized the UAE's dedication to upholding justice while providing protections for individuals of various religions and nationalities residing in the country.
Following the sentencing, a broader context of shifting dynamics for the Israeli and Jewish community in the UAE emerged.
The community has experienced increasing visibility since Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
However, in light of escalating tensions in the region and the onset of violence involving Israel and Gaza in October 2023, many members of the Jewish community in the UAE have opted to minimize their public presence, including the temporary closure of synagogues for safety reasons.
Reports indicate that Jewish residents have resorted to holding private gatherings for religious observance.
The exact number of Israeli and Jewish expatriates currently residing in the UAE remains unclear, but estimates suggest they may include several thousand individuals, reflecting the growing ties between the two nations following the establishment of diplomatic relations.
