The White House and other American officials condemned the murder of the Chabad emissary to the United Arab Emirates, Rabbi Zvi Kogan.
"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," National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement.
"This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence," the White House added, noting it was working in coordination with Israeli authorities as well as those in the UAE.
US reactions
New York Mayor Eric Adams shared, “ I am absolutely devastated to learn about the barbaric and senseless murder of Chabad Shaliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan."
I am absolutely devastated to learn about the barbaric and senseless murder of Chabad Shaliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife — a native New Yorker — his entire family, and the Jewish community who is grieving right now. This is yet another jarring…
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 24, 2024
Adams continued, "Our hearts and prayers are with his wife — a native New Yorker — his entire family, and the Jewish community who is grieving right now. This is yet another jarring reminder of how it is dangerous to simply be Jewish in many parts of the world — New York City will never be one of those places.”
Horrified by the news that Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan was kidnapped and murdered. We appreciate the actions of UAE authorities to hold accountable those who planned and carried out this heinous act. The ongoing targeting of Jewish communities worldwide is abhorrent and must stop.
— Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt (@StateSEAS) November 24, 2024
Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, stated, “Horrified by the news that Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan was kidnapped and murdered.
We appreciate the actions of UAE authorities to hold accountable those who planned and carried out this heinous act. The ongoing targeting of Jewish communities worldwide is abhorrent and must stop”.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) posted, "I am shaken by the news of the antisemitic abduction and murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was kidnapped and killed simply for being Jewish. May his memory be a blessing."
Contrary to the NY Times, Rabbi Zvi Kogan did not just “disappear” in Dubai. He was abducted and murdered because he was a Jew. The media should call the kidnapping and killing of Rabbi Kogan exactly what it is: an act of antisemitic terror. pic.twitter.com/Quta6jgMb1
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 24, 2024
Torres continued in a second post, "The media should call the kidnapping and killing of Rabbi Kogan exactly what it is: an act of antisemitic terror."