Ari recalls his last communication with Rabbi Kogan on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the rabbi's planned visit to Dubai in about a month. Although Ari didn't receive a response to his question about the dates of Zvi's trip, he didn't find it suspicious at the time. However, by Friday evening, Rabbi Kogan’s wife began to express concern.
"On Friday, he didn't show up for work, and it became clearer something was wrong. They contacted the Israeli embassy, senior Chabad officials, local police, and began reaching out to people in Dubai and Israel to find out if anyone knew anything," Katz explains.
He emphasizes that no one initially suspected a nationalist motive. "Until Shabbat, people were hopeful he might return. As an ambulance driver, I was carrying my phone, and on Saturday morning, I received a message about a nationalist incident and a possible kidnapping," Katz says.
Despite the developing situation, Katz struggled to believe the worst. "Having been to Dubai several times and never feeling fearful, it seemed far-fetched. The community there is secure, and everyone feels safe. But when Shabbat ended, we were flooded with messages. The family still hadn’t received clear information, and rumors were rampant. By Sunday morning, I was still waiting for an official update," he recounts.
Ari reflects on Rabbi Zvi's lack of fear, despite the proximity of Iran. "Zvi never feared. He had served in the IDF as a combat soldier, and fear was never part of him. The UAE has always provided a sense of security for visitors, with many Israelis considering it a second home. We even planned to move there ourselves. Life in Dubai was calm."
When asked if this tragedy could bring about change, Ari notes it is hard to grasp the full implications. "It's difficult to process. We still don’t know how to fully understand it," he says.
Ari also speaks to Rabbi Zvi’s commitment to his mission. "Zvi’s entire life was dedicated to helping others. From his first day in Dubai, he knew his mission was there. He had been an emissary in several countries, and when he arrived in Dubai, he felt that was where he needed to be. A few weeks ago, he told me someone had been photographing the kosher supermarket, which is where his surveillance began. That supermarket was crucial for Jews visiting Dubai, and Zvi would have sacrificed his life for it."
Reflecting on their friendship, Ari describes Zvi as a man driven by a desire to bring happiness to others. "Zvi had a magnetic personality, always pushing others to be happy. He spread light wherever he went. If he had known his life would be sacrificed for his mission in Dubai, he would have done it again, without hesitation."