Dubai Rabbi's Murder: 'Call it for what it is'

After facing criticism on social media, The New York Times altered its headline about the abduction and murder of an Abu Dhabi rabbi.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, 28, who was living in the United Arab Emirates before his wife reported him missing last Thursday. His body was discovered on Sunday morning. Kogan, a citizen of both Moldova and Israel, relocated with his family to Dubai in 2022 to lead the Jewish community there. Israel said it had been given information "indicating that this is a terrorist incident," calling the murder "an abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism" in a statement.

The New York Times initially reported on the death of an Israeli rabbi in Dubai with a headline that downplayed the kidnapping and terrorist aspect of the incident. The paper later updated its headline to reflect the true nature of the event, but not before facing criticism on social media for its initial reporting.

"Rabbi Kogan was not 'found dead', he was murdered," former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote on X. "Some in the media, particularly @nytimes, downplay antisemitic acts. This must be called out and addressed."

"Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., stated that Rabbi Zvi Kogan did not simply disappear in Dubai, but was abducted and murdered due to his Jewish identity. The media should accurately label the kidnapping and killing of Rabbi Kogan as an act of antisemitic terror."

Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh criticized the New York Times for its reporting on the murder of a Jewish rabbi, stating that the rabbi was abducted and killed, not just 'disappeared,' and that the attack was an act of terrorism. Walsh urged the Times to improve its coverage.

Eyal Yakoby, a Jewish student activist, responded to the NYT's assertion that a Rabbi's murder was a magic trick by saying, "That's not what happened."

Aviva Klompas, an Israeli policy expert, stated that Rabbi Kogan was murdered solely because of his Jewish identity, and not due to "disappearing" or being "found dead."

The UAE apprehended three suspects for Kogan's murder and pledged to utilize all legal resources to punish anyone who attempts to disrupt the country's stability or endanger its safety.

Israel announced that it will "use all means and deal with the criminals responsible for Kogan's death to the fullest extent of the law."

In Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood in New York City, Kogan served as an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a highly observant branch of Hasidic Judaism.

Dubai's only Kosher grocery store, The Rimon Market, was closed on Sunday due to anti-Israel protests.

Rivky, his wife from New York, is a U.S. citizen who resided with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who perished with his wife Rivka and some of their offspring in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment from The New York Times was not responded to.

Planet Chronicle' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.