The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of Zvi Kogan, an Israeli citizen and Moldovan national.
Kogan, who was associated with the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement, was residing in the UAE when he went missing last Thursday. His body was discovered on Sunday in the city of Al Ain, which borders Oman.
The Emirati interior ministry announced the arrests but withheld details about the suspects or any charges filed against them.
The ministry emphasized its commitment to using "all legal powers to respond decisively and without leniency to any actions or attempts that threaten societal stability."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the murder as a "heinous antisemitic terrorist act" and vowed that Israel would "do everything it could to bring those responsible to justice."
This incident comes amidst ongoing tensions following the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which began after a devastating attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023.
Despite these tensions, the UAE has maintained its diplomatic ties with Israel, established under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.
This relationship has led to a more visible Israeli and Jewish community in the UAE, although recent events have prompted Israel to advise its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country and remain in secure areas.
There are suspicions of Iranian involvement in the murder, though the Iranian embassy in the UAE has "categorically rejected" such allegations. Former Israeli politician Ayoob Kara noted that investigators suspect Iranian elements might be behind the attack, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
The murder of Kogan has sent shockwaves through the UAE's Jewish community, which, despite security concerns, remains committed to building ties and investing in the Gulf nation.
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