National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented the details of the operation to locate the ship 'Altalana' at a press conference this evening (Monday) - and the findings that were found at sea.
At the same time as the press conference held in the presence of the minister at the Etzel Museum, the Prime Minister made his own statement, in the same place outside the Etzel Museum - so as not to be photographed with Minister Ben Gvir.
Ben Gvir's entourage admitted that this was an "embarrassing incident.".
Ben Gvir criticized Netanyahu in his speech and said: "Begin also knew the taste of persecution, that they don't want to take pictures with you on the same stage, that you are a loyal partner who sits with you in closed rooms - and then at the moment of truth to feel the boycott.".
He continued: “The 'Altelana’ is not just a ship. It is a symbol of the national camp that they have tried for years to boycott, silence and delegitimize. Menachem Begin knew what persecution by brothers is, what a boycott is and what it feels like to be tried to disqualify you and the camp you represent. And yet, precisely at the most difficult moment, he established one principle above all else: We are brothers. There will be no fratricidal war.
""For decades, they tried to bury the story of the Altalena, to hide it from the pages of history and to erase the legacy of the heroes who fought and fell. The search for the remains of the ship is not just an operation to locate remains in the depths of the sea. For us, it is a moral and ethical duty. 16 heroic Irgun fighters fell on board, and the remains that were found are part of their tombstone and legacy.""
He added: "For me, it is also a personal closing of the circle. My mother, Shoshana Alia Hashalom, was a proud Etzel fighter. In the house where I grew up, I absorbed the stories of heroism, but also the stories of persecution and discrimination. The lesson of the Altalena is still true today: in the face of our enemies, we do not blink, do not show mercy, and do not get confused, but strike them with all our might. But within our people, even when there are serious disagreements, Begin's will is clear: Jews, in all their shades, are brothers. There will be no fratricidal war.".
Netanyahu claimed in his statement that the Altalena incident teaches the importance of unity. "The unity within us is much broader than it seems and is essential so that we can face the great challenges that still face us. Therefore, we must form a broad national government to ensure our future and security. I pledge to work for the unity of Israel.".
He also pledged that the remains of the ship would be recovered from the water.
The ship was located intact tonight after midnight at a depth of 503 meters, west of the coast of Israel, during a maritime search operation, after months of planning and preparation.
The search was carried out using a ship equipped with special sensors and advanced survey systems. The search expedition was led by Roni Sadeh, director of the Marine Mapping Division at the Israel Mapping Center.
Altalena arrived in Israel in June 1948 with immigrants on board, including Irgun fighters, as well as weapons and military equipment. In the clash around the ship, 16 Irgun members and three IDF soldiers were killed.
The ship was purchased in the United States in the summer of 1947 by an Irgun unit and was originally used as a tank landing ship for the US Navy. In June 1948, it sailed for Israel with about 930 immigrants on board as well as a large amount of military and medical equipment.
After arriving on the shores of the country, a dispute arose between the Irgun leadership and the government over the weapons on board. After clashes in the village of Vitkin, the ship reached the shores of Tel Aviv, where the exchange of fire resumed on June 22, 1948; the ship was shelled and caught fire, and its remains were later sunk off the coast of Nebi Rubin.
