Israeli Minister Emphasizes Unity Amid Altalena Wreckage Discovery and Political Disputes

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu spoke on Galei Tzahal on Tuesday following the discovery of the Altalena shipwreck off the Israeli coast. He addressed internal divisions within Israeli society, stating that while debate and disagreement among the Jewish people are permissible, it is forbidden to escalate conflicts into civil war. Eliyahu accused the political left of calling for civil strife, contrasting this with the right-wing camp's responsibility and efforts to maintain national unity during events such as the Gaza disengagement and recent protests against judicial reforms.

When questioned about a past incident involving his party leader, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who tore off the emblem from Yitzhak Rabin’s car and made a controversial statement, Eliyahu described it as youthful mischief motivated by love for Israel. He emphasized that the right-wing camp prevents civil war and highlighted the greater violence from left-wing protesters during the judicial reform demonstrations, including an example of a stun grenade fired near the Prime Minister’s residence.

Eliyahu praised Ben-Gvir’s dedication to national security, noting that he sacrifices sleep to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens. He also discussed his initiative to correct historical injustices related to the Altalena story, which involved a three-year planning process culminating in a one-day sea search operation that led to the shipwreck’s discovery. This initiative was part of his broader efforts since joining the Heritage Ministry to address historical narratives.