Israel Locates Altalena Shipwreck After 78 Years Off Coast

The wreckage of the Altalena, a ship belonging to the Irgun organization that was shelled on orders from Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion during Israel's War of Independence, was discovered last night off the Israeli coast. The ship was found intact at a depth of 503 meters after months of meticulous planning and a complex maritime search using advanced sensors and survey systems. Roni Sade, head of the Marine Mapping Department, credited advanced technology and a dedicated professional team for the successful discovery. Hagai Ronen, CEO of the Israel Mapping Center, described the find as a historic and emotional moment, highlighting the role of modern mapping capabilities in preserving Israel's history for future generations.

The Altalena had sailed from France carrying approximately 930 immigrants, including Holocaust survivors, along with a large cache of military equipment. Following the establishment of the IDF and the disbandment of underground militias, Irgun commander Menachem Begin demanded that some of the weapons be transferred to Irgun units in Jerusalem. Ben-Gurion refused and ordered the ship to be bombed if it did not surrender all weapons to the IDF. The ensuing conflict resulted in 19 deaths, including 16 from Irgun and the ship, and three IDF soldiers. The Altalena remained offshore near Tel Aviv for several months before Ben-Gurion ordered its sinking.

For decades, efforts were made to locate and recover the Altalena to serve as a memorial for those who died. About a year ago, several ministers requested Defense Minister Israel Katz to relocate the cannon that fired on the ship from the Command and Staff College in Glilot to the Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.