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National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Announces Discovery of Intact Altalena Shipwreck 78 Years After Sinking

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Heritage Ministry announced on Monday that the wreck of the ship Altalena has been located intact on the Mediterranean seabed. The vessel was found at a depth of 503 meters, approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of Israel. The discovery revives a significant historical episode from 1948, during which the newly established Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Irgun underground organization nearly engaged in internecine fighting. The dispute centered on the authority of the new state over the weapons and personnel transported by the ship. While the Irgun sought to maintain some independence, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's government insisted that all arms brought into the country fell under the IDF's authority to prevent an "army within an army." urative. The discovery of the Altalena provides a historical opportunity to reflect on the internal conflicts and the unity of the new state during its formative years.

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