Three detained over fragmentation grenade attack at Japanika in Rosh Pina

Police arrested three people on Monday on suspicion of involvement in a fragmentation-grenade attack on a Japanika restaurant in Rosh Pina nearly two months ago, Israel Police said Tuesday.

The arrests mark the first publicly reported progress in the investigation into the July 15 attack at this location, which formed part of a wider wave of violence against branches of the restaurant chain.

Two of the suspects are residents of northern Israel, while the third lives in central Israel. They were taken for questioning, as police were expected to ask the Kiryat Shmona Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to extend their detention.

A remand hearing will determine only whether the suspects may remain in custody while the investigation continues.

According to police, officers were called to the restaurant early on July 15 after receiving a report that a fragmentation grenade had been thrown at the branch. Investigators collected evidence at the scene and opened an investigation.

Reports said the grenade exploded, shattering at least one window. No injuries were reported.

Wave of attacks against Japanika branches

The attack came during a series of grenade, gunfire, and arson attacks against Japanika branches around the country. Restaurants in Ramat Gan, Kiryat Ono, Afula, and Netanya were targeted with grenades, shots were fired at the chain’s Herzliya branch, and an attempt was made to set fire to a branch in Givatayim.

Police said at the time that they were investigating whether the attacks were connected to an escalating dispute involving the Mosli and Jarushi crime organizations. 

Separate investigations into the wider wave have led to indictments over attacks on Japanika branches in Kiryat Ono and Givatayim.