Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The New York Times faced backlash for its initial reporting on the killing of Zvi Kogan, a Chabad rabbi in the UAE. The newspaper’s description of the incident as him being “found dead” sparked outrage as critics accused the paper of overlooking an antisemitic attack. This led to swift corrections in the reporting after a public outcry.
Kogan, a 28-year-old Chabad emissary, was reported missing last Thursday in the UAE, raising concerns of possible abduction. His body was discovered by UAE authorities on Sunday, leading to the arrest of three suspects connected to his kidnapping and murder. The Prime Minister condemned the tragic event as a “heinous act of antisemitic terror,” emphasizing the severity of the crime.
The initial headline from the New York Times, “Israeli Rabbi Missing in Dubai Found Dead,” was met with criticism for not adequately addressing the violent and antisemitic nature of Kogan’s death. This sparked a wave of condemnation on social media, with prominent figures denouncing the newspaper for downplaying the antisemitic aspect of the crime.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo joined the chorus of disapproval, calling out the Times for minimizing Kogan’s murder. Cuomo highlighted a concerning trend in media, particularly with outlets like the New York Times, of understating incidents of antisemitism. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of accurately reporting on the acts of antisemitic terror.
Another voice in the criticism was former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh, urging the Times to improve its coverage. Walsh emphasized that Kogan did not simply “disappear,” but was kidnapped and murdered because of his Jewish identity. The pressure from public figures and the community led to a revision of the headline to better reflect the gravity of the situation: “Israeli Rabbi Kidnapped and Killed in the United Arab Emirates.”
