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Called out over its “disturbing pattern,” the New York Times’s latest edit couldn’t contain the backlash over their reporting on the murder of a rabbi in Dubai.

Following a report from his wife that 28-year-old Rabbi Zvi Kogan had gone missing Thursday, the abducted Chabad-Lubavitch emissary’s body was discovered Sunday in the United Arab Emirates in what Israel readily called an “act of antisemitic terrorism.”

Bringing new meaning to its nickname, the Gray Lady opted for vaguery in its headline that reported, “Israeli Rabbi Who Disappeared in Dubai Is Found Dead.”

While the subheading divulged the view of Israeli authorities and referred to the incident as a killing and act of terrorism, the headline was received as only the latest perceived representation of bias surrounding the Jewish state.

“Rabbi Kogan was not ‘found dead’, he was murdered,” asserted disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in a post sharing the headline. “There is a disturbing pattern whereby some in the media — and particularly the @nytimes — downplay antisemitic acts. It must be called out and addressed.”

Likewise, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres (D), said to be considering a 2026 challenge to incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), joined others in sounding off on X, “Contrary to the NY Times, Rabbi Zvi Kogan did not just ‘disappear’ in Dubai. He was abducted and murdered because he was a Jew. The media should call the kidnapping and killing of Rabbi Kogan exactly what it is: an act of antisemitic terror.”

Following the backlash on their coverage of Kogan, who ran the Rimon Market, said to be the only Kosher grocery store in Dubai, the Times updated their headline to read, “An Israeli Rabbi Is Abducted and Killed in the U.A.E.”

As of Monday, the United Arab Emirates reported the arrest of three suspects believed connected to the murder and asserted they would use “all available legal powers to deal severely and without leniency with anyone who dares to take any actions or acts that seek to destabilize society or threaten its security.”

The suspects from Uzbekistan were identified by the U.A.E. Interior Ministry as 28-year-old Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, 33-year-old Azizbeck Kamilovich, and 28-year-old Olimboy Tohirovich. In a separate statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office asserted, “The murder of Zvi Kogan, of blessed memory, is an abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism. The State of Israel will use all means and will deal with the criminals responsible for his death to the fullest extent of the law.”

Particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel, corporate media outlets like the Times had been challenged over their coverage, including a widespread jump to report on an explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

What was initially described as “Israeli Strike Kills Hundreds in Hospital, Palestinians Say,” went on to be tempered to read, “At Least 500 Dead in Blast at Gaza Hospital, Palestinians Say.”

An editors’ note amid coverage that had been quick to fault Israel had the Times asserting, “Given the sensitive nature of the news during a widening conflict, and the prominent position it received, Times editors should have taken more care with the initial presentation, and been more explicit about what information could be verified. Newsroom leaders continue to examine procedures around the biggest breaking news events — including for the use of the largest headlines in the digital report — to determine what additional safeguards may be warranted.”

Kevin Haggerty
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