The New York Times appears to have subtly changed its headline about the kidnapping and murder of an Abu Dhabi rabbi after it drew intense backlash on social media over the weekend.
Israel has confirmed the death of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, 28, who lived in the United Arab Emirates until his wife reported him missing last Thursday. The body was found on Sunday morning, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on X. Kogan, a citizen of both Moldova and Israel, moved to Dubai with his family in 2022 to lead the local Jewish community. In a statement, Israel called the killing an “abhorrent act of anti-Semitic terrorism” and said it had been provided with information “indicating that this was a terrorist incident.”
The New York Times first reported Kogan's death with the headline, “Missing Israeli rabbi found dead in Dubai.” Online critics were quick to accuse the outlet of appearing to downplay the kidnapping and terrorist elements involved in Kogan's death. The paper later updated the headline to read, “Israeli rabbi kidnapped and murdered in United Arab Emirates,” but that was before social media picked up the original reporting assignment.
United Arab Emirates arrests three people in connection with the death of missing Abu Dhabi rabbi, Israel denounces as “abhorrent act of anti-Semitic terrorism''
Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a Chabad emissary, was reported dead after going missing last week. (Chabad.org via X)
“Rabbi Kogan was not 'found dead,' he was murdered,” former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote to X. “There is a disturbing pattern of some media outlets, especially @nytimes, downplaying anti-Semitic acts. This must be done.” It will be called out and addressed. ”
“Contrary to the New York Times, Rabbi Zvi Kogan did not just 'disappear' in Dubai,” commented Rep. Ritchie Torres (D.N.Y.). “He was kidnapped and murdered because he was Jewish. The media should call the kidnapping and murder of Rabbi Kogan an act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
“Sorry, @nytimes, the rabbi did not “disappear.” He was abducted and killed. He was targeted and killed because he was Jewish. This was an act of terrorism. It's better than this New York Times. ” said former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh.
“The NYT thinks the rabbi's murder was some kind of sleight of hand'' says Jewish student activist Eyal Jacoby answered.
Israeli policy expert Aviva Klompas also shares her opinion.,”Rabbi Kogan of @nytimes didn't “disappear” or “found dead,” he was murdered simply because he was Jewish.
The United Arab Emirates announced that three suspects had been arrested in connection with Mr. Kogan's murder. We will use all available legal powers to deal with them sternly and sternly.” ”
Israel said in a statement that it would “use all means possible to deal with the criminals involved in his crimes.” [Kogan’s] Execute the death penalty to the fullest extent of the law. ”
Kogan was an emissary of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch. Hasidic Judaism We are based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.
Limon Market, Dubai's only kosher grocery store, which Kogan ran on busy Al Wasl Road, closed on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. It had been a target of anti-Israel protests.
A man walks past Rimon Market, a kosher grocery store run by the late Rabbi Zvi Kogan, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, November 24, 2024. (AP Photo/John Gambrell)
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His wife, Rivky, is an American national from New York and lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg, who was killed along with his wife Rivka and several children in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The New York Times did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
FOX News' Daniel Wallace contributed to this report.
