Cops extend closure of Bat Yam ice cream shop where suspect in bus bombing attack illegally worked

Police last month arrested a Palestinian man illegally residing in Israel on suspicion he helped carry out last month’s botched bus bombing attack in the Tel Aviv area, Ynet reports.

According to the report, the suspect was employed at a Bat Yam branch of the Golda ice cream chain, where he was arrested during his shift four days after the attempted terror attack. He has been held in administrative detention for around a month.

Police temporarily shuttered the branch soon after arresting the suspect and arrived again around noon today to close the ice cream parlor after filing a request with the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court to extend the closure.

According to the report, the suspect worked at the chain for around a month without proper documentation and was paid in cash.

Tel Aviv District commander Haim Sargrof writes in the request that the branch “employed an illegal resident and provided him with a substantial source of income, even though he poses a clear threat to national security and is currently under administrative detention.”

“The respondent acted illegally, driven by cynical economic motives and blatant disregard for the public interest, especially at a time when the State of Israel is fighting for its existence,” his request continues.

The police investigation into the attempted terror attack was subject to a court-issued gag order, which Ynet claims has been lifted in recent days.