Originally published Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Israeli crime boss killed in bold car-bomb explosion
One of Israel's best-known outlaws, a crime-family boss with a long list of enemies in the country's increasingly brazen underworld, was killed Monday when a bomb exploded under his rental car near a busy Tel Aviv intersection.
Los Angeles Times
JERUSALEM — One of Israel's best-known outlaws, a crime-family boss with a long list of enemies in the country's increasingly brazen underworld, was killed Monday when a bomb exploded under his rental car near a busy Tel Aviv intersection.
The midday slaying of Yaakov Alperon was described by Israeli media as the boldest hit yet in a string of turf wars that have killed dozens of gangsters and at least eight bystanders in the last three years. A 13-year-old boy and two other pedestrians were slightly wounded in Monday's blast.
Israelis, who are far more accustomed to violent clashes with their Palestinian neighbors, were transfixed by the slaying. It dominated the airwaves and overshadowed news of ongoing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Yossi Sedbon, a former Tel Aviv police chief said: "The meaning of this is simple: The battles between these criminal gangs will continue and the families will be even more driven to avenge his death. I fear the bloody red line will be crossed forever."
Suspicion initially fell on three rival crime families — two of them are involved with the Alperon family in a battle for control of a lucrative bottle-recycling racket.
Crime gangs in Israel also fight over control of gambling clubs and illegal drugs. Despite shootings and bombings that have prompted many of his rivals to travel with bodyguards in armored vehicles, Alperon had refused to do so, often saying he was not afraid.
He was driving alone in the car when it blew up near a bus stop not far from Tel Aviv's courthouse, police said. Witnesses described a huge explosion that shook the ground.
Army Radio said police suspected the bomb had been placed under the car while it was parked at the courthouse.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
More Nation & World headlines...
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate
UPDATE - 04:05 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws
U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show
Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm
India's feeling bruised even before White House visit

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
332 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
201 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
170 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
137 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
93 - New Husky recruit: Enes Kanter
82 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
78 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
70 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
64 - Middleton says Huskies "plan on scoring at least 50 points'' Saturday
56
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Taste | The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit





