Israel calls for avoiding non-essential travel to UAE

Israel called, Sunday, to avoid “non-essential travel” to the UAE, after an Israeli rabbi, who has been missing since last Thursday, was found dead.

The National Security Council of Israel said Israelis should “avoid visiting businesses, gathering places and entertainment venues identified with the Israeli and Jewish population”, according to Channel 12.

“Maintain increased vigilance in public places (including restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.). Avoid displaying Israeli symbols. Cooperate with local security forces, follow their instructions and immediately report it if you have been exposed to terror activity,” the warning added.

Earlier on Sunday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a joint statement that the UAE authorities have found the body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a Chabad rabbi in the UAE, who has been missing since Thursday.

On Saturday, Netanyahu’s office and the Mossad intelligence agency said in a joint statement that Kogan, “an Israeli citizen of Moldovan origin, residing in the UAE, has mysteriously disappeared since Thursday afternoon.”

According to the Hebrew newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, Kogan was officially residing in the UAE as an assistant to the Chief Rabbi of Abu Dhabi.

Chabad is an extremist organisation that does not believe in the existence of Palestinians and calls for their expulsion from Occupied Palestine, and opposes any agreement that would grant them part of their land.

Members of the organisation are present in several countries, including the United States, France and Canada, in addition to the UAE, where they established a Jewish community centre that includes a synagogue and Torah scrolls. The centre is headed by Rabbi Levi Duchman.

READ: UAE announces arrest of three suspects in Israeli rabbi killing