Israel locates Altalena ship after 78 years at bottom of Mediterranean Sea
Israeli ministers announced the discovery of the Altalena wreckage off the coast of Israel at a depth of 1,650 feet. The vessel, an arms ship used by the Irgun, remains intact after being bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and sunk in 1949. The discovery follows a deadly power struggle between the newly formed state and the Irgun underground. The recovery of the boat is described as addressing a deep national wound.
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- ✓ The Altalena ship was located at a depth of 1,650 feet off the coast of Israel.
- ✓ The vessel was an arms ship belonging to the Irgun.
- ✓ The Israeli military bombed the ship in 1948 and it was sunk in 1949.
- ✓ The wreck has been underwater for 78 years.
What changed
Israeli ministers announced the location and recovery of the Altalena shipwreck.
Live updates
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Israel locates Altalena shipwreck after 78 years
Israeli ministers announced the discovery of the Altalena wreckage off the coast of Israel at a depth of 1,650 feet. The vessel, an arms ship used by the Irgun, remains intact after being bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and sunk in 1949. The discovery follows a deadly power struggle between the newly formed state and the Irgun underground. The recovery of the boat is described as addressing a deep national wound.
Why it matters
The Altalena incident involved a clash between forces led by David Ben-Gurion and the Irgun under Menachem Begin. This conflict occurred during the early stages of Israel's statehood. It represented a critical struggle for central military authority.
What is confirmed
- The Altalena ship was located at a depth of 1,650 feet off the coast of Israel.
- The vessel was an arms ship belonging to the Irgun.
- The Israeli military bombed the ship in 1948 and it was sunk in 1949.
- The wreck has been underwater for 78 years.
Still unconfirmed
- Itam Ben-Gvir claims the discovery is an election-season snub to Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud.
What to watch next
- Official reports on the physical condition of the wreckage upon recovery
- Government statements regarding the preservation or exhibition of the ship
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (7)
- The Jerusalem Post — Israel locates Altalena ship after 78 years at bottom of Mediterranean Sea
- The Times of Israel — Wreckage found of Altalena arms ship sunk in deadly 1948 power tussle, ministers announce
- Haaretz — Altalena Shipwreck Found Intact Underwater 78 Years After IDF Sank Irgun Vessel
- Ynetnews — Ben-Gvir claims Altalena discovery spotlight in election-season snub to Netanyahu, Likud
- France 24 — Israel recovers gun-running boat whose sinking caused 'deep national wound'
- Saudi Gazette — Israel recovers Menachem Begin’s gun-running boat 78 years after its sinking by Ben-Gurion's forces
- www.al-monitor.com — Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years
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