Full Breakdown
U.S. Embassy Warns Americans of Spike in Organized-Crime Violence in Central Israel
7/22/2026, 8:20:32 PM
Core Event
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert urging American citizens in Israel to remain vigilant. Grenade attacks have targeted private residences, vehicles and commercial properties, especially in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Herzliya. The embassy advised travelers to stay alert during evening and overnight hours, avoid areas with visible police activity or roadblocks, follow local law-enforcement instructions, and keep personal security plans up to date. Both the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv embassies continue to provide routine and emergency consular services.
Background & Context
The violence is tied to a feud between two criminal families: the Mosli (also reported as Musli) organization and the Arab-led Jarushi clan. Police describe the groups as having extensive operational capabilities. The Japanika sushi-restaurant chain—owned by Barak Abramov, who also runs the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team—has become a frequent target, likely because of perceived ties to one side or the other.
Timeline
- May 7 2024 – Photograph of the U.S. Embassy’s Tel Aviv branch.
- Early July 2024 – Grenade attacks hit private homes and several Japanika locations in Tel Aviv, Ramat Hasharon and Herzliya.
- July 13 – Police arrested a suspect linked to a grenade attack on a Japanika restaurant in Kiryat Ono; an 18-year-old from Bat Yam was also detained.
- July 14 – Police responded to a shooting at a Japanika restaurant in Herzliya.
- Following week – Arrests included a 28-year-old from Kiryat Ata suspected of attempted arson at a Japanika branch in Haifa.
- Recent Sunday – Crime-family head Yossi Mosli and three associates were released to five days of house arrest after a grenade explosion in Tel Aviv’s Tzahala neighborhood.
Data & Statistics
- Police reported more than 10 incidents in roughly one week, including grenade explosions, shootings and an attempted arson.
- The Japanika chain operates over 40 locations across Israel, several of which have been hit.
- Attacks often involve assailants on motorcycles throwing grenades or stun grenades.
- The Israeli National Police have conducted uniformed and undercover operations, including nighttime patrols, to disrupt the networks.
Official Statements & Responses
The embassy’s alert emphasized personal safety measures: staying alert in commercial districts, avoiding police-controlled zones, reporting suspicious objects, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and downloading the IDF Home Front Command app for real-time alerts. A police representative described the feud as involving “resources, power and capability,” underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local media captured grenade damage at Japanika branches in Rosh Pina and Tel Aviv’s Kochav Hatzafon neighborhood. Witnesses said assailants rode motorcycles and hurled grenades into courtyards and residential building entrances. Police suspect some grenades were stolen from the Israel Defense Forces.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the spelling of one crime family’s name, referring to it as “Mosli” or “Musli.” No casualty figures have been provided, and the extent of property damage remains unspecified.
What’s Next
The embassy will continue to monitor the situation and keep U.S. citizens informed through STEP and WhatsApp updates. Israeli authorities plan ongoing police operations and indicated that additional arrests may follow as investigations progress. Americans in Israel are urged to maintain situational awareness and follow the safety recommendations outlined in the embassy’s alert.
