Beitar Jerusalem Owner Barak Abramov Denies Crime Links Amid Stun Grenade Attacks

Barak Abramov, owner of Beitar Jerusalem football club and the Jafnika restaurant chain, broke his silence in a detailed interview on July 26 with Chaim Etgar on Channel 12's Friday Studio. Abramov addressed the recent stun grenade attacks on nine of his restaurant branches and the allegations linking him to criminal families, marking his first direct public response to the controversy.

Abramov stated that despite extensive media interest, he chose Channel 12 for its credibility and emphasized full police support, including patrols outside his branches. He expressed uncertainty about the motives behind the attacks, saying, "Why did this happen? I have no clear answer," and hopes the ordeal will soon be behind him.

Regarding accusations of ties to crime families, Abramov firmly denied any connections to the Musli or Jarushi families. He described his acquaintance with the Musli family as superficial, rooted in respect from his time owning the Bnei Yehuda football club a decade ago. He recounted attending a family event as a guest but noted no recent contact. Concerning the Jarushi family, Abramov explained a brief interaction through a mutual friend and said he had only provided game tickets upon request, denying any deeper relationship.

Abramov challenged authorities to arrest him if there was evidence of criminal ties, noting that Israeli police and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have acknowledged his legitimate business operations. He recounted a recent conference call with senior police officials and Ben-Gvir's office, resulting in increased police presence at his restaurant locations.

He also highlighted that during the recent gang conflicts, stun grenades were thrown in wholesale markets leading to administrative closures, but his Jafnika chain remains under police protection. Abramov refrained from speculating on who might be behind the attacks, affirming his trust in law enforcement to uncover the truth. He concluded by emphasizing that respecting individuals, including government ministers and others, does not imply criminal associations.