First Shin Bet Chief Reveals Rare Recording on Altalena Crisis and Civil War Fears

A rare historical recording of Isser Harel, the first head of Shin Bet and second head of Mossad, has been unveiled at the Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv. In the recording, made during a meeting with students at David Ben-Gurion’s home after his death, Harel provides a firsthand account of the dramatic days following Israel’s establishment, focusing on the Altalena Affair and the decisions made by Ben-Gurion to prevent a civil war.

Harel describes the deep concern that if the young state’s small army was not unified under a single command, with various factions operating independently, the country could collapse. The Altalena incident occurred during the ongoing War of Independence, a sensitive time when a ceasefire was crucial. Harel recalls a palpable fear of internal conflict, stating, "There was a sense in the air of a civil war. We hadn’t even finished the War of Independence, and already there was a danger of fratricidal fighting."

He emphasizes that Ben-Gurion stood firmly for exclusive state and military authority, insisting, "Only one government decides and one army executes." However, the recording also reveals Ben-Gurion’s willingness to reconcile with former rivals. Harel recounts proposing to Ben-Gurion that detained Irgun leaders be offered significant roles in the IDF to demonstrate unity rather than revenge, a proposal Ben-Gurion accepted promptly.

Harel further explains how this approach extended to members of Lehi after the state acted against them following the assassination of UN mediator Folke Bernadotte. He persuaded Ben-Gurion to integrate former Irgun and Lehi members into state institutions, including Mossad, highlighting the recruitment of Yitzhak Shamir, who later became prime minister. Harel portrays Ben-Gurion as both a firm leader ensuring discipline and a pragmatic unifier willing to incorporate former adversaries who chose the right path.

Nelly Markman, CEO of the Ben-Gurion House, noted the recording’s value lies in hearing a direct voice from within Israel’s early security establishment rather than retrospective interpretations. She highlighted the enduring relevance of Ben-Gurion’s principle of unified government and military command amid today’s societal divisions, underscoring the importance of revisiting these foundational moments.