Grenade thrown at a Japanika branch under construction in Hadera
Police began an investigation this morning into an incident at a business currently under construction in the city. No casualties were reported.
The situation remains at the center of a conflict: police began an investigation early Sunday morning after a fragmentation grenade was thrown at a Japanika branch currently under construction in Hadera.
"Japanika branches have become a target in a conflict between criminals — and customers are afraid to come."
There were no casualties in the incident, though the site may have sustained damage. Officers summoned to the scene immediately initiated investigative procedures and the collection of evidence. The background of the incident is criminal.
Center of a criminal conflict
The Japanika chain has been at the center of a conflict between criminal organizations over the past month, with police suspecting that the branches are being targeted as part of a struggle between criminal factions.
Attacks against the chain began in mid-July, when the door of the Givatayim branch was set on fire, a fragmentation grenade was thrown at a branch in Kiryat Ono, and an explosive device was later found near a branch in Ramat Gan. There were no casualties, but property damage was caused.
In the following days, the attacks expanded to other branches, including those in Netanya, Afula, and Herzliya, where shooting was also reported. Today, another grenade was thrown at a Japanika branch in Rosh Pinna. According to investigative sources, the background is a conflict between the Musli and Jarushi criminal organizations.
If it turns out that this is an attempt at extortion ("protection") of a successful business, rather than the company's own involvement in criminal activity, the brand is likely to recover over time. The Israeli public tends to distinguish between a business that is a victim and one that is part of the problem. However, from the perspective of the capital market, the damage has already been done: the IPO will likely not take place as planned, and the valuation may be re-evaluated. Additionally, Bank Leumi will have to manage the investment with much greater caution, at least until the situation becomes clearer.
