U.S. Issues Security Alert for Israel Over Crime Family Wars

The statement comes amid an escalating violent gang war between the Jarushi crime family and the Musli criminal group, which has sparked shootings and grenade attacks across central Israel

July 22nd, 23PM July 22nd, 23PM

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert on Wednesday for Israel, urging its citizens to avoid parts of the country's center over a recent gang war between rival groups in the area.

Washington "is monitoring reports of increased violence linked to rival Israeli organized crime groups, primarily affecting parts of Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Herzliya," the embassy said, urging citizens to "stay alert, especially in commercial areas during evening and overnight hours."

The embassy warned of "attacks which were reported to have involved hand or stun grenades thrown at private residences, vehicles, or business properties, often by an assailant on a motorcycle."

A series of shootings and grenade attacks targeting private homes and businesses, including multiple branches of the Japanika sushi chain across Israel, has taken place in the past two weeks, amid an escalating conflict between the Ramle-based Jarushi crime family, which has been feuding with the Tel Aviv-based Musli criminal group. Last week, police arrested Yossi Musli, the suspected leader of the Musli organized crime group, along with five other suspects.

The U.S. embassy said Israel Police "responded to this spike in violence by conducting enforcement operations to disrupt violent criminal activity and arrest the leaders believed to be responsible for these attacks."

The embassy advised U.S. citizens to take several precautions, including carrying their travel documents at all times and avoiding areas with active police operations.