Semi-Weekly Discussion Thread - November 25, 2024

[u/tuesday_mod]

INTRODUCTION

/r/tuesday is a political discussion sub for the right side of the political spectrum - from the center to the traditional/standard right (but not alt-right!) However, we're going for a big tent approach and welcome anyone with nuanced and non-standard views. We encourage dissents and discourse as long as it is accompanied with facts and evidence and is done in good faith and in a polite and respectful manner.

PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION THREAD

Like in r/neoliberal and r/neoconnwo, you can talk about anything you want in the Discussion Thread. So, socialize with other people, talk about politics and conservatism, tell us about your day, shitpost or literally anything under the sun. In the DT, rules such as "stay on topic" and "no Shitposting/Memes/Politician-focused comments" don't apply.

It is my hope that we can foster a sense of community through the Discussion Thread.

IMAGE FLAIRS

r/Tuesday will reward image flairs to people who write an effort post or an OC text post on certain subjects. It could be about philosophy, politics, economics, etc... Available image flairs can be seen here. If you have any special requests for specific flairs, please message the mods!

The list of previous effort posts can be found here

Previous Discussion Thread

[u/JustKidding456]

Keller-Lynn, Carrie, Jones, Rory, and Lieber, Dov. 2024. “Israel Says Rabbi Found Dead in U.A.E. Was Abducted and Killed.” Wall Street Journal, updated November 24, 2024. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-rabbi-found-dead-in-u-a-e-was-murdered-732e5e5c:

Israel Says Rabbi Found Dead in U.A.E. Was Abducted and Killed

Zvi Kogan was targeted in an “act of antisemitic terrorism,” Israeli authorities say

Israeli-Moldovan citizen Zvi Kogan, 28, went missing from Dubai on Thursday afternoon, prompting an investigation by Israel’s Mossad spy agency after suspicions were raised that he was abducted in an act of terrorism. Kogan, a rabbi, was an emissary of the Jewish Chabad movement to Abu Dhabi, where he lived with his wife.

Israel said on Sunday morning that Emirati authorities had found Kogan’s body, confirming fears in the local Jewish community.

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2024. “UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Closely Monitoring the Case of Missing Moldovan Citizen.” News. Accessed November 24, 2024. https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2024/11/23/23-11-2024-UAE-Moldova:

His Excellency Majed Al Mansoori, Director of the Foreign Nationals Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), affirmed that the Ministry is closely monitoring the case of the missing Moldovan citizen, Zvi Kogan, and is in close contact with his family to provide them with all means of necessary support. His Excellency also highlighted that the Ministry is in continuous contact with the Embassy of Moldova in Abu Dhabi in this regard.

His Excellency underscored that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is implementing extensive measures in its search for the missing person, affirming that the relevant authorities in the UAE have initiated the search operations and investigations immediately following the receipt of the report. Furthermore, His Excellency called on the public to obtain information from official resources.

This is discouraging news. Even though this wasn’t a case of “open” antisemitism (edit: Amsterdam), this was a lapse of security for Jewish people in the Emirates. Best case scenario, the Emiratis recognize the security risks and take the actions necessary to prevent this from happening again.

[u/Viper_ACR → u/JustKidding456]

This is going to be a huge issue going forward. And frankly it's antisemitism

[u/JustKidding456 → u/JustKidding456]

Update. Jones, Rory. 2024. “U.A.E. Names Three Uzbek Nationals as Suspects in Rabbi’s Murder.” Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2024. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-a-e-names-three-uzbek-nationals-as-suspects-in-rabbis-murder-93291695:

U.A.E. Names Three Uzbek Nationals as Suspects in Rabbi’s Murder

Zvi Kogan, whose body was found Sunday, was an emissary of the Jewish Chabad movement to Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates named three Uzbek nationals as suspects in the killing of a Jewish community leader in the Gulf state, a murder that has raised concerns about security for Jews in the Arab world… Emirati authorities said Sunday that three individuals had been arrested in connection with Kogan’s death. On Monday, they named the three suspects as Olimpi Tohirovic, 28, Mahmudjun Abdurrahim 28, and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33. Emirati authorities said they had begun a legal process to charge the individuals. The U.A.E. statement included pictures of the suspects in handcuffs and blue prison clothes, their faces each covered by a black mask. It wasn’t immediately clear if lawyers had been appointed to represent the men. The Uzbek embassy in Abu Dhabi didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment… Amid the tensions, Israel had warned its citizens and Jews that they might be the target of attacks abroad by Iran or Iran-linked groups. Israel told its citizens to limit foreign travel and minimize openly identifying themselves as Israeli or Jewish. Israel’s National Security Council said on Sunday that it believes there is a continuing threat to Israelis and Jews in the Persian Gulf. The killing of a religious leader has shocked the small Jewish community in the U.A.E., an oil-rich confederation of seven sheikhdoms. The community flourished after the Gulf state led a series of diplomatic agreements establishing ties with Israel in 2020, though it has kept a lower profile following the Gaza war. Many Jews had argued they were safer in the authoritarian Muslim state than in Europe. The U.A.E., an autocratic monarchy where dissent isn’t tolerated, prides itself on religious tolerance and a business-friendly environment open to every nationality. Nine out of 10 people in the country of roughly 10 million are foreigners. “Zvi Kogan’s murder was more than a crime in the U.A.E. it was a crime against the U.A.E.,” Yousef Al Otaiba, the Emirati ambassador to the U.S. who helped negotiate the diplomatic accords with Israel, wrote on X. “It was an attack on our homeland, on our values and on our vision.” Israeli and U.A.E. authorities’ investigation into Kogan began on Thursday when he didn’t arrive at planned meetings and the people expecting him informed Rivky Kogan, his wife. She turned to the security officer of the Chabad in the Emirates who contacted local authorities for help. The U.A.E. eventually brought Israel into the investigation, the Journal reported. The depth of cooperation remains unclear, however. The two countries lauded their relationship following the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2020. But relations have become frostier since Israel’s war in Gaza. U.A.E. statements on the killing of Kogan have so far only noted his Moldovan nationality. Israel has had long-running concerns about Iranian state actors trying to kill or abduct its citizens abroad. Iranian intelligence agents moved to kill Israeli tourists in Turkey in 2022, in a plot uncovered by Israeli and Turkish authorities.

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior. 2024. “UAE strongly rejects any threat to societal security as Emirati authorities arrest perpetrators in Moldovan citizen's murder in record time.” News. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://moi.gov.ae/en/media.center/News/112424n02.aspx:

Ministry of Interior: UAE strongly rejects any threat to societal security as Emirati authorities arrest perpetrators in Moldovan citizen's murder in record time

The Ministry of Interior announced that the UAE authorities have arrested in record time the three perpetrators involved in the murder of Zvi Kogan, a Moldovan national according to his identification documents at the time of entry into the UAE, where he lived as a resident. The Ministry reiterated the UAE's unwavering capability to decisively address any attempts to undermine the security and stability of its society.

The Ministry further explained that upon receiving a missing person report from the victim’s family, a specialized search and investigation team was promptly assembled. This led to the discovery of the victim’s body, the identification and arrest of the perpetrators, and the initiation of the necessary legal procedures. Full details of the incident will be disclosed upon the conclusion of the investigations.

The Ministry affirmed that the UAE and its institutions are fully committed to safeguarding the safety and security of its citizens, residents, and visitors. It highlighted that the nation’s security apparatus maintains the highest standards of security and safety, which have been fundamental to the UAE since its founding.

The Ministry also stressed that it will utilize all legal powers to respond decisively and without leniency to any actions or attempts that threaten societal stability. Furthermore, it reaffirmed its readiness to implement all necessary deterrent measures to protect social harmony and peaceful coexistence, strictly adhering to the nation’s laws and regulations.