Altalena discovery fuels rivalry between Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir
The discovery of the wreck of the Irgun cargo vessel Altalena has triggered a political contest between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Both leaders are claiming association with the militia, which was involved in violence against Palestinians during the 1948 war. Netanyahu, facing elections and legal troubles, rushed to the Etzel Museum to counter Ben-Gvir's announcement.
The Altalena was transporting weapons purchased from France when Ben-Gurion ordered it shelled in June 1948, an incident that nearly ignited civil war between rival Jewish factions. The vessel's discovery arrives as Netanyahu confronts October elections, corruption charges dating to 2019, and official scrutiny over the October 7, 2023 security failures.
The Irgun, alongside the Lehi militia, carried out the April 1948 massacre at Deir Yassin, killing more than one hundred Palestinian villagers despite a non-aggression pact. The group's actions during the 1948 war contributed to the Nakba, the forced displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians during Israel's formation.
The contest over the Altalena's symbolism could sharpen existing political fractures within Israeli society, as both leaders compete to claim the Irgun's legacy while its violent record against Palestinians remains a contested historical matter. The rivalry may also influence the October election campaign, with Netanyahu using the discovery to rally his base amid legal troubles and