Netanyahu and Ben Gvir Clash Over Altalena Discovery Amid Political Credit Battle

A political dispute unfolded during the event marking the discovery of the Altalena, the Irgun ship bombarded in 1948. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a separate statement outside the main hall, while Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Amichai Eliyahu held their own press conference about half an hour later. The delay and separation appeared to stem from Netanyahu’s reluctance to be photographed with Ben Gvir, amid a credit struggle over the ship’s discovery.

Ben Gvir criticized Netanyahu sharply, saying, "Begin knew well the taste of persecution, of not wanting to be photographed with you on the same stage." He lamented that despite four years of cooperation, Netanyahu now avoids even a photo with him. Ben Gvir’s aides accused Netanyahu of intending to side with Benny Gantz and abandoning Ben Gvir, drawing parallels to historical political ostracism of Menachem Begin.

During Netanyahu’s statement near the sea, security forces cleared bathers from the beach with weapons drawn to secure the area. Netanyahu recounted the tragic history of the Altalena, noting the 1948 shelling ordered by David Ben-Gurion that killed 19 fighters. He highlighted his role in establishing the Heritage Department in 2009 and renewing the search in 2019, culminating in locating the shipwreck 20 kilometers off Israel’s coast at a depth of 503 meters after 78 years.

Ben Gvir emphasized the Altalena as a "bleeding wound" in Israeli history and a symbol of the national camp and Menachem Begin’s legacy. He shared a personal connection, recalling his mother’s role as a young Irgun fighter. Both Ben Gvir and Eliyahu stressed that despite political disagreements, "there must be no civil war," referencing the historical conflict surrounding the ship.

The discovery itself was a surprise to Netanyahu’s office and the Defense Ministry, which reportedly was unaware of the find. The Altalena carried about 930 immigrants and weapons from France. The ship was sunk after Ben-Gurion refused to share its arms with the newly formed IDF, leading to a deadly confrontation. The exact location was lost due to incomplete records, but sonar technology recently identified the wreck largely intact.

Plans for the wreck’s future remain undecided, with options including a floating monument or maritime heritage center. Salvaging the entire ship is considered highly complex and unprecedented. The event also revived debates over the historical narrative, including the fate of the cannon that fired on the Altalena, which some ministers want relocated to honor Begin’s legacy and promote social unity.