The United States has strongly condemned the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, whose body was discovered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday. Rabbi Kogan, reported missing since Thursday, was an outreach rabbi with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and worked in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council expressed condolences to Rabbi Kogan's family, the Chabad-Lubavitch community, the broader Jewish community and others mourning his death.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE, and our prayers are with his family, the Chabad-Lubavitch community, the broader Jewish community and all who are mourning his loss. This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. It was an assault as well on UAE and its rejection of violent extremism across the board," the statement read.

The US further described the killing as an attack on peace and tolerance and commended the UAE authorities for their swift action, which has led to suspects being taken into custody. “The United States is working in close coordination with Israeli and UAE authorities, and we have offered all appropriate forms of support. We commend the rapid efforts of UAE authorities, who now have suspects in custody. Those who carried out this crime, and anyone supporting them, must be held fully accountable," the statement added.

Rabbi Kogan, 28, was known for his outreach work and ran a kosher grocery store in Abu Dhabi. He is survived by his wife, a US national.

Following the discovery of his body, Israel has warned its citizens against non-essential travel to the UAE. The country’s National Security Council (NSC) reiterated its moderate threat level for Israelis in the UAE, urging travellers to avoid venues associated with Israelis or Jews, refrain from displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols, and exercise caution in public areas.

"This vile antisemitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people," Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated on social media platform X. "It will not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere--especially with the help of the dedicated commitment and work of the Chabad emissaries all over the world. I thank the UAE authorities for their swift action and trust they will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Reports from Israeli media suggest the suspects in the case are Uzbek nationals allegedly working on behalf of Iran, who have since fled to Turkey. The killing comes amid a surge in global attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets following the October 7 Hamas attacks. In response, Israel has issued travel warnings for multiple countries across the Middle East.

This incident underscores growing concerns over safety and the broader implications for the Jewish community in the region.