Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are investigating the disappearance of an Israeli-Moldovan national in the UAE.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Zvi Kogan, the envoy of the Orthodox Jewish organization Chabad, has been missing since Thursday.
It said Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency was conducting an “active investigation” and suspected a “terrorist incident”, while local authorities confirmed a search operation was underway.
“Concerned for Kogan’s safety and well-being, Israeli security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly on this matter,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
The UAE’s official news agency said the Ministry of Interior was searching for the missing person and investigating his disappearance.
The United Arab Emirates established formal relations with Israel under an agreement brokered by the United States, known as the Abraham Accords.
It has maintained relations during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Israeli government’s Travel Advisory Service warns citizens to travel to the UAE only for “essential reasons”, as it says there is “terrorist activity” in the UAE, which “is a threat to Israelis”. There is a real danger to those living in the country.” .
Chabad UAE did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
