Last update - 00:00 10/10/2006
Dichter: There are no magical solutions to organized crime
By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent
Two fragmentation grenades were thrown Tuesday morning at the home of Nahariya Mayor Jackie Sabag, and a third grenade was thrown at the home of a police detective in the northern town.
The grenades were thrown at Sabag's home near the town's boardwalk around 3:30 A.M. The mayor, his wife, and daughter, who were home at the time, were not injured, although the explosions did damage the house's windows and yard.
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter came to Nahariya after the explosions to review the scene, along with top officials of the northern police district.
Dichter said police "do not have magical solutions" in its battle with organized crime, but they do have "abilities" which they will put to use. When asked if there is concern that organized crime will return to Nahariya, Dichter replied that the organized crime never left the city, even though there was a "decline in the last two years."
Haaretz has learned that the police are focusing on the possibility that the attacks are related to the competition for upcoming municipal contracts, which are to be awarded to private manpower agencies as well as security and construction companies.
There have been prior similar incidents in Nahariya of grenade attacks and threats against city council members during competitions for municipal contracts.
A spokesman for the mayor said Sabag is confident police will fully investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice, and has no intention of being interviewed on the matter at this stage in order not to hinder the investigation.
Nonetheless, the spokesman said that "such criminal acts will not scare the mayor nor will they force him into taking steps that are against the law."
Northern District police commander Major General Dan Ronen said police are holding consultations among senior officers in the area to determine how to proceed in the investigation.
Ronen told Haaretz police are treating the two incidents as related, both due to the timing and the similar methods used in both attacks.
"[This is] a grave incident that is being taken extremely seriously by police," Ronen said.
According to Ronen, the investigation will be handled by a special team from the Northern District headed by Commander Menachem Hever.
"We are aware that criminal elements unfortunately have easy access to weapons," said Ronen. "We do not intend to allow Nahariya to return to the days in which grenades were thrown on a regular basis throughout the city."
Ronen added that, following the consultations, a decision will be made regarding whether to provide Sabag with bodyguards.
Seven months ago a grenade was thrown into a bar in Nahariya, seriously wounding one man. That attack was believed to be related to a struggle for control over illegal casinos.
Roughly two years ago, several prominent Nahariya public figures were targeted in grenade attacks believed to be related to power struggles between both manpower agencies and private security companies.