Historic "Holy Cannon" Moved to Irgun Museum in Binyamina
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Hundreds gathered in Binyamina for the transfer of the "Holy Cannon," used against the Altalena ship, to the newly renovated Irgun Museum. Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu led the effort to preserve the legacy of the Irgun and the Altalena incident. The ceremony, attended by ministers and public figures, highlighted the importance of passing the story of the underground fighters to future generations. Eliyahu used the event to speak about contemporary societal divisions, warning against civil strife.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The "Holy Cannon," used against the Altalena ship, was moved to the Irgun Museum in Binyamina.
- Hundreds attended the ceremony, including Ministers Amichai Eliyahu and Yisrael Katz.
- Minister Eliyahu linked the Altalena incident to current societal divisions in Israel.
- The newly renovated Irgun Museum was inaugurated at the same event.
- Eliyahu warned against the idea of civil war in Israel.
- The event emphasized preserving the legacy of the Irgun and Lehi.
Hundreds of people attended a ceremony in Binyamina on Tuesday to mark the transfer of the "Holy Cannon," from which fire was directed at the Altalena ship, to the newly renovated Irgun (Etzel) Museum. The museum, located in Jabotinsky Park, was inaugurated at the same event, which was also attended by ministers, public figures, and representatives of the Irgun Veterans Organization.
The initiative to move the cannon was led by Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu, whose ministry has been working to preserve the legacy of the Irgun and commemorate the Altalena incident. Eliyahu announced two months prior that the Altalena ship had been located, a project his ministry had pursued since he took office four years ago.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Defense Yisrael Katz, Chairman of the Irgun Veterans Organization Itzik Shimhon, and former Deputy Chief of Staff and Knesset Member Uzi Dayan. The event emphasized the importance of preserving the heritage of the Irgun and Lehi (Fighters for the Freedom of Israel) and passing their stories to future generations. The museum itself documents the Irgun's activities during the British Mandate and its role in the establishment of the State of Israel.
In his speech, Minister Eliyahu drew parallels between the Altalena affair and contemporary divisions within Israeli society, questioning whether the state belongs to everyone or if some view themselves as its sole proprietors. He linked these divisions to ongoing debates surrounding the judicial system and public reforms, while clarifying that he was not equating the events. "The State of Israel is not the property of a political camp, an elite, or a specific institution. It is the national home of the entire Jewish people," he stated.
Addressing the potential for escalating societal rifts, Eliyahu warned against the notion of civil war, stating, "Unfortunately, there have been those who dared to explicitly or implicitly raise the idea of civil war. The historical curse of division into two kingdoms. We will never allow this."
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