Japanika saga: Police arrest 28-year-old suspected of attempted arson on sushi chain's Haifa branch

Jerusalem Post/Israel News/Crime in IsraelMost recently, the investigation into the attacks on Japanika has expanded internationally, with the FBI and Romanian police now involved, N12 reported on Friday.Follow us on GoogleA view of a Japanika restaurant branch owned by businessman Barak Abramov that was damaged in a shooting in Herzliya, central Israel, July 14, 2026.(photo credit: Tal Gal/Flash90)ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAMJULY 19, 2026 13:47Updated: JULY 19, 2026 13:51A 28-year-old man from Kiryat Ata was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of involvement in the attempted arson of a Japanika branch in Haifa last week as part of the wave of grenade and shooting attacks on Japanika chain branches in central Israel, Israel Police confirmed. Police announced on Sunday that his detention was extended until Monday.Four others have been arrested over their suspected involvement in the attacks on Japanika branches, including Musli crime family boss Yossi Musli, an 18-year-old, and two men in their 30s.In the span of a few hours on Tuesday, police announced two grenade explosions, a pipe bomb attack, and an attempted arson. Three of the incidents targeted branches of the Japanika restaurant chain, owned by businessman and Beitar Jerusalem owner Barak Abramov.On Tuesday, police responded to a shooting incident at a Japanika restaurant in Herzliya, marking the fourth attack of its kind.Japanika storefront. (credit: GOOGLE MAPS)One of the attacks, which took place at the Japanika restaurant in Netanya, included the use of a stolen IDF grenade.Japanika probe goes international as FBI, Romanian police join investigationMost recently, the investigation into the attacks on Japanika has expanded internationally, with the FBI and Romanian police now involved, N12 reported on Friday.Channel 12 legal analyst Guy Peleg divulged new details about the case during the network’s Friday news program.“The investigation has become international,” Peleg said. “The police are not operating only in Israel. Police agencies around the world are involved, including the FBI and Romanian police. It is believed that Eran Haya, the head of a crime organization who is being held in Brooklyn, is connected to the matter, and the issue is therefore being investigated. The FBI raided his cell and found cellphones that he had ‘stashed’ there.”Peleg added, “The Romanian security service questioned Yossi Musli’s brother, Eli Musli, based on materials transferred by Israel Police. The Romanian authorities made it clear to Musli that if this continues, they will shut down the businesses in Romania. There will be results and achievements in this case.”Jerusalem Post Staff, Goldie Katz, Esther Davis, and Hodaya Ran contributed to this report.Follow us on Google