Shipwreck Altalena found off Tel Aviv - sunk in 1948 clash with right-wing militia
The wreckage of the ship Altalena, which was sunk on the orders of first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion in a clash between the nascent IDF and the right-wing militia Irgun, was found in overnight operations.
This was revealed in a rather unusual way, via a statement by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, who initiated the search expedition managed by Roni Sadeh, director of the Maritime Mapping Division at the Survey of Israel (SOI).
"Altalena arrived in Israel in June 1948 carrying immigrants, including Irgun fighters, as well as weapons and military equipment. The confrontation surrounding the vessel became one of the painful and formative events in the history of the young State of Israel. During it, 16 Irgun members and three IDF soldiers were killed," said Ben Gvir.
“We are closing tonight a historic circle surrounding one of the most painful and formative events in the history of Israeli society. We dealt with this matter secretly for many long years, and today—the fruits of the intelligence and operational effort have borne moving fruit for the sake of historical truth, the memory of the fallen, and the unity of the Jewish people.”
Roni Sadeh revealed that the wreck was found "at a depth of more than 500 meters thanks to advanced technologies and the intensive work of a professional and dedicated team at sea.”
