Netanyahu vows to raise the ‘Altalena’ from the depths of the Mediterranean
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Monday to raise the Altalena from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea following the announcement that the vessel, which symbolizes a painful episode in the early history of the Jewish state, was found.“She will be a tangible symbol for our generation and for generations to come; a tangible symbol of one simple commandment: civil war—never again!” Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language statement.“Today, finally, after 78 years, we have located the ship after it sank into the depths,” Israel’s longest-serving prime minister said after visiting the Etzel Museum in Tel Aviv.“Never again” was the “heartfelt cry” of the Irgun’s commander and future prime minister of Israel, Menachem Begin, Netanyahu continued.“He stood here on the shore, not far from here [the Etzel Museum on Nahum Goldmann St.], and he spoke these words in the face of the tragic decision by [Israel’s first prime minister] David…
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to raise the Irgun ship Altalena from the Mediterranean Sea, 78 years after it sank. The vessel, recently located with a 1 million shekel investment from Israel’s Heritage Ministry, symbolizes a pivotal moment in Israel's early history.
“She will be a tangible symbol for our generation and for generations to come; a tangible symbol of one simple commandment: civil war—never again!”
Netanyahu emphasized that the Altalena, shelled by the Haganah in 1948 during the War of Independence, represents the imperative to avoid civil conflict. He highlighted Menachem Begin's call to stop the firing, stating, “This is the great lesson of the Altalena. It is as true today as it was true then. Because division is weakness, and unity is strength.” The Prime Minister also noted that he has requested the Altalena story be included in school textbooks.
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