The Board of Deputies has condemned the “despicable” murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, the Chabad emissary to Abu Dhabi, whose body was found early on Sunday.
In a statement, the Board said, “Our hearts are broken at the news…
“Rabbi Kogan was a religious leader, who, like many Chabad emissaries, went to a distant land to serve his community with warmth and selflessness. His abduction and murder is a truly despicable act.”
Chabad Lubavitch UK said it was “mourning the tragic death of our dear colleague”, adding: “In dark times like these please do an extra mitzvah to add light to the world in the merit of Rabbi Zvi ben Alexander Hakohen, hy”d and in honour of his family.”
HYD is an abbreviation of a Hebrew phrase which means “May God avenge his blood”.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the killing of the rabbi, who was reported missing on Thursday night, but the Board said it was “believed that he was murdered by terrorists working for the Iranian regime”.
The Israeli newspaper Ynet reported that according to an “initial probe” three Uzbek nationals followed Rabbi Kogan from the kosher supermarket he managed in Abu Dhabi. It was common for Uzbek operatives to be used by Iran, the newspaper said.
There were signs of a struggle inside Rabbi Kogan’s car which was found on the island of Al Ain, around 70 miles from Abu Dhabi.
In it’s statement, the Board said, “This terrible act underscores the fact that for the Iranian regime, Jews living in other countries are seen as targets.
“Two years ago Britain’s Security Minister stood up in the House of Commons and confirmed that the Iranian Regime had made a list of prominent Jewish people in the UK to target in the event of war with Israel.
“We will be redoubling our efforts, alongside other communal organisations, in calling for the full proscription of the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
Rabbi Kogan, 28, was born to a Charedi family in Jerusalem and served in the IDF. After becoming closer to Chabad, he was sent to the United Arab Emirates to assist Rabbi Levi Druchman in developing Jewish life there.
The grandfather of his wife, Rivky Spielman, whom he married six years ago, came from Manchester.