Two weeks later: Young man arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a "Japanika" branch in Givatayim
Police have arrested a Rehovot resident suspected of arson at a "Japanika" restaurant in Givatayim. The incident is linked to the ongoing "grenade war" between the Musli and Jarushi crime families.
Two weeks after the incident, the police arrested this morning (Tuesday) a resident of Rehovot in his 20s on suspicion of setting fire to a branch of the "Japanika" restaurant in Givatayim, in the early morning hours of July 12. He was arrested by the Tel Aviv Central Unit, and later today he will be brought to the Magistrate's Court in the city for a hearing on extending his detention.
The war between criminal organizations has escalated in recent weeks, with a wave of grenade attacks, shootings, and arson — in many cases at "Japanika" branches. The police suspect that all the incidents are related to the struggle between the Musli and Jarushi crime families, and there is a suspicion of an attempt to harm the restaurant chain owned by businessman Barak Abramov. Two weeks ago, the police arrested the head of the crime organization Yossi Musli, on suspicion of involvement in the "grenade war" as part of the financial conflict with the Jarushi organization.
Last Thursday, two young men in their 20s, residents of Modiin, were arrested after a police chase in Ramat Gan, on suspicion of throwing a grenade at a residential building in the city. At the same time, the police arrested a resident of Lod in his 20s, on suspicion of throwing a fragmentation grenade at a house in Herzliya.
Last week, the US Embassy in Israel issued an unusual warning to its citizens staying in the country, against the backdrop of the "grenade war" of criminal organizations in the center. The embassy's statement said that it is "closely monitoring reports of an increase in violent incidents related to conflicts between organized crime groups in the country."
It was further written that:
"It appears that the attacks are directed at businesses and homes associated with the involved groups, mainly in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Herzliya. According to reports, the attacks included throwing hand grenades or stun grenades at private homes, vehicles, or businesses — in most cases by motorcyclists."
