Killed mobster's son: I'll cut off assassin's hands, head

The son of reputed mobster Yaakov Alperon, assassinated in Tel Aviv Monday, vowed to avenge his father's death during an emotional funeral ceremony Tuesdayat the Raanana Cemetery.

"I will send back that person to God," the unidentified son said at the gravesite. "He won't have a grave because I'll cut off his hands, head, and body." 

Meanwhile, photojournalists reported being subjected to threats by Alperon associates during the funeral. Several photographers were reportedly beaten up and others were told they would be hurt if they try to document the funeral.

"It was just too dangerous," one photographer told Ynet. "All sorts of criminals approached us and threatened us not to dare raise our cameras…they threatened us while police officers and Prison Service staff were watching and doing nothing."

Another photographer told Ynet some funeral participants stoned photojournalists.

"They threatened all of us and said they would break our cameras if we take them out of our bags," he said. "Later came the shoves and more threats….I wasn't that scared even when I served in Lebanon."

Alperon's car exploded on Namir Road in Tel Aviv on noon Monday. Three bystanders were lightly injured in the explosion as well.

Hundreds of people gathered at the cemetery grounds ahead of the funeral, as dozens of police officers and Israeli Prison Service personnel secured the premises.

Among those paying their respects were prominent figures in the Israeli crime scene, the likes of crime boss Rico Shirazi and Roni Harari, the leader of the Ramat Amidar gang.

The Hasharon Subdistrict Police originally decided not to send police officers to secure the funeral, but several dozens were dispatched in order to provide backup for the IPS' prisoner transports unit, whose officers accompanied Apleron's son, Dror, to the service.

The police have launched an extensive investigation into the murder, but sources in the department were somewhat pessimistic about their chances to solve the case. The investigation will be headed both by the Tel Aviv District Police and by the Lahav 433 unit (the Israeli FBI). Details of the investigation have been placed under a gag order.

Alperon's assassination sent a jolt through the local crime scene, as fears of retaliation began circling. The family released a statement saying it would not seek retribution, but police sources said such an act is only a matter of time.

"(The Alperons) have to retaliate – besides the fact that they have a moral debt to their brother, if they do nothing, the Alperon name, which is the most important thing they have, will be worthless," said a police source.

Buki Naeh contributed to this report