Full Breakdown
Arson Attack on Japanika Restaurant Chain Leads to Arrests Linked to Organized Crime
8/13/2026, 12:20:10 PM
Attack on Givatayim Branch and Police Response
On July 12, two masked men on a two-wheeled vehicle poured a flammable substance in front of a Japanika restaurant in Givatayim and set it ablaze. The fire damaged the building and interior property but caused no injuries. Israel Police, using technological means, traced the perpetrators and arrested an 18-year-old resident of Rehovot on July 27; a second 18-year-old from the same city was detained several days later. Searches of their homes uncovered clothing and other items investigators said linked them to the arson. Prosecutors filed declarations against both suspects on Tuesday, ahead of formal indictments.
Wave of Attacks Tied to Musli-Jarushi Gang Conflict
The Givatayim incident formed part of a broader series of assaults on Japanika branches across central Israel. Earlier attacks included grenades, pipe bombs and attempted arson. According to KAN News, nine Japanika locations were damaged in a single day amid a dispute between the Musli and Jarushi crime families. Israeli media reported that the Musli crime family boss Yossi Musli was arrested on July 14 in connection with the campaign against the restaurant chain. Most of the affected franchises are operated by members of the Jarushi family.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
The Tel Aviv District Central Unit is conducting the investigation. Prosecutors’ declarations filed on Tuesday signal that formal charges are forthcoming for the two Rehovot suspects. Police have also filed charges related to a separate grenade attack on a Japanika branch in Kiryat Ono, where a fragmentation grenade—believed to be stolen IDF equipment—was thrown.
Implications for Public Safety and Organized-Crime Enforcement
The series of attacks highlights how inter-gang rivalries can spill over into civilian businesses, prompting heightened police focus on organized-crime networks. The arrests of young suspects and a gang boss suggest a coordinated law-enforcement effort to disrupt the Musli-Jarushi feud and protect commercial establishments from further violence.
