PM hails finding of Irgun arms ship Altalena, denounces Ben-Gurion for attacking it in 1948

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1. 21d ago

   Israel locates Altalena arms ship 78 years after sinking

   Israel has located the Altalena, an Irgun arms ship sunk by the Israeli military in 1948. The vessel was found intact 1,650 feet underwater in the Mediterranean Sea. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the discovery and denounced David Ben-Gurion for the 1948 attack on the ship. The find brings renewed attention to a period of internal conflict during the state's founding that nearly caused the nation to tear itself apart.

   Why it matters

   The Altalena was a gun-running ship operated by the Irgun. Its sinking by the Israeli military in 1948 sparked a violent confrontation between different Jewish factions. This event remains a symbol of the struggle for authority in the early days of the state.

   What is confirmed

   • The Altalena ship was located intact 1,650 feet underwater in the Mediterranean Sea.
   • The Israeli military sank the Altalena in 1948.
   • Prime Minister Netanyahu denounced David Ben-Gurion for attacking the ship.

   What to watch next

   • Plans for the recovery or preservation of the wreck
   • Official government statements regarding the historical significance of the site
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. The Jerusalem Post — Israel locates Altalena ship after 78 years at bottom of Mediterranean Sea
   2. The Times of Israel — PM hails finding of Irgun arms ship Altalena, denounces Ben-Gurion for attacking it in 1948
   3. CBS News — Gun-running ship sunk by Israeli military in 1948 located intact 1,650 feet underwater
   4. Haaretz — Analysis • Ben-Gvir's ambush shook Netanyahu – and unleashed a war for right-wing votes
   5. i24NEWS — Ben-Gvir Compares Himself To Begin As Netanyahu Avoids Him
   6. Ynetnews — ‘Jews won’t shoot Jews today’: The men of the Altalena remember the day Israel nearly tore itself apart
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