In an unusual move on Wednesday, the US embassy in Jerusalem issued a warning to US citizens in Israel to remain cautious amid a recent uptick in organized crime incidents.
In a statement, the embassy said it was “closely monitoring reports of a spike in violence connected to rivalries between Israeli organized crime groups.”
It noted that the attacks appeared to be “targeting businesses and homes associated with the groups involved,” primarily in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Herzliya.
The embassy called on US citizens to “stay alert, especially in commercial areas during evenings and overnight hours” and to “avoid locations with police activity and follow instructions from local authorities.”
The US embassy’s warning came in the wake of an escalating conflict between two influential crime gangs in Israel — the Jarushi and Musli families.
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The feud sparked a series of grenade and shooting attacks across Israel earlier this month, including at several branches of the Japanika sushi chain and the homes of various figures connected to the feuding crime families.
The sushi chain, which has over 40 locations across Israel, is owned by Barak Abramov, who also owns the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team.
Beitar Jerusalem owner Barak Abramov at the Israeli Premier League match between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on October 5, 2024. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
According to the Walla news site, Abramov was initially seen as being close to the Musli family, but is now thought to be tied to the Jarushi family, thus drawing him into the feud between the two sides.
The Musli family rose to power in the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Kfar Shalem and the nearby Hatikva neighborhood, and is one of the last remaining Jewish crime families in Israel. The Arab Jarushi family is also based in the center of the country.
Police have said that some of the attacks in recent weeks appeared to have used grenades stolen from the IDF.
Several people have been arrested in connection with the recent violence. On Sunday, Channel 12 reported that a suspect close to members of the Jarushi family was summoned for questioning over the targeting of Japanika branches and was subsequently detained.
Another suspect was arrested in Kiryat Ata, the news outlet reported, on suspicion of an attempted arson attack on a branch of the sushi restaurant in the northern city of Haifa.
The escalation between the crime families has further exacerbated the violent crime crisis in Israel, which has particularly plagued the country’s Arab community but has also spilled over into other parts of society.
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