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June 22, 1948: The shelling of the Altalena ship off the coast of Tel Aviv, and eventual cease-fire over the Altalena incident, which left 19 Jewish fighters dead.
THREAD
#Israel
#OTD
@BeginCenter
THREAD
#Israel
#OTD
@BeginCenter
1/ Prior to the establishment of Israel in May 1948, there were a number of Jewish paramilitaries, notably: the Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi. After the establishment of the IDF at the end of May 1948, all the paramilitary groups were absorbed into the IDF as a united force on Jun 1.
2/ Practically, this proved more complicated than it seemed. Though the Irgun planned to fight with the IDF, they had decided to ship weapons and fighters to the new state to fight in Irgun-only battalions within the army.
3/ In May 48, the Irgun had arranged for the Altalena (named for a pen-name of Jabotinsky's) to sail to Israel with weapons for the Irgun. It included 153 million francs worth of weapons, and 940 fighters
The timing of the ship's arrival was delayed, which complicated matters.
The timing of the ship's arrival was delayed, which complicated matters.
4/ Menachem Begin (Irgun's commander) told Israeli govt representatives that the ship was coming, and needed to know how to proceed. he did not want to be accused of breaching a cease-fire.
Ben Gurion suggested the ship disembark at an unknown shore.
Ben Gurion suggested the ship disembark at an unknown shore.
5/ Wanting to evade UN observers, the ship was ordered to dock at Kvar Vitkin.
In the meantime, intense negotiations between the Israeli govt and the Irgun took place. They discussed the logistics of the ship's landing, and distribution of the cargo.
In the meantime, intense negotiations between the Israeli govt and the Irgun took place. They discussed the logistics of the ship's landing, and distribution of the cargo.
6/ Difficulties arose in the negotiations when Begin requested that the weapons be dispatched to Irgun battalions within the IDF. Govt representatives did not want to be seen as reinforcing an "army within an army" and wanted to distribute the weapons where they were needed.
7/ On Jun 20, the Altalena reached Kfar Vitkin. 940 passengers disembarked, sent to an army camp for IDF induction.
Begin and Irgun members, as well as Irgun sympathizers, began to unload the cargo at KV: 2,000 rifles, 2 million rounds of ammo, 3,000 shells, 200 Bren guns.
Begin and Irgun members, as well as Irgun sympathizers, began to unload the cargo at KV: 2,000 rifles, 2 million rounds of ammo, 3,000 shells, 200 Bren guns.
8/ At a meeting of the Provisional Govt, they were adament that Begin hand the weapons over to the govt. They decided that if he did not do so, then they would empower the army to use force against the Irgun.
On June 21, the Alexandroni Brigade surrounded Kfar Vitkin.
On June 21, the Alexandroni Brigade surrounded Kfar Vitkin.
9/ Begin drove to Netanya to consult with Govt officials about what to do. He returned to Kfar Vitkin, when rifle fire broke out. Begin then fled to the Altalena by rowboat, and boarded.
The Irgun fighters on shore surrendered to the @IDF.
The Irgun fighters on shore surrendered to the @IDF.
10/ Refusing to surrender to the IDF, Begin ordered the Altalena to sail to Tel Aviv where there were more Irgun supporters. It was 9:30pm on June 21.
It was rumoured that Begin was staging a military coup of Israel.
It was rumoured that Begin was staging a military coup of Israel.
11/ At about midnight, early in the morning of June 22, the Altalena ran aground on the beach in Tel Aviv. This was in view of locals, journalists, and UN observers.
Ben Gurion ordered the IDF to surround the ship, and take it by force
On Jun 22, at 4pm, the IDF began shelling
Ben Gurion ordered the IDF to surround the ship, and take it by force
On Jun 22, at 4pm, the IDF began shelling
12/ Though a few IDF soldiers refused to fire on fellow Jews, some obeyed orders and did so. Yitzchak Rabin was commanding IDF forces on the beach. A shell hit the ship, and it began to burn. A number of warning shots were fired too. Things grew incredibly tense.
13/ Hoping to avert a civil war, Begin ordered his men not to shoot back, and raised a white flag in surrender. However, the firing continued. A beach battle erupted, and clashes took place throughout Tel Aviv between the Irgun and IDF.
14/ As the fire on board spread, the captain feared it would spread to the arms remaining on the ship, which would explode. The ship was ordered abandoned. People jumped into the water, and swam ashore.
Begin stayed on board until the last of the wounded were evacuated.
Begin stayed on board until the last of the wounded were evacuated.
15/ Though a civil war appeared imminent, by the evening, a cease-fire between the IDF and Irgun had been arranged.
Mass arrests of Irgun operatives were carried out, and Irgun units in the IDF were disbanded. 200 Irgun members were arrested.
Mass arrests of Irgun operatives were carried out, and Irgun units in the IDF were disbanded. 200 Irgun members were arrested.
16/ Begin managed to reach his clandestine radio station, and told him men not to fight the IDF. He called for them to assemble in Jerusalem and continue the battle for the Old City against the Jordanians.
17/ In all, 16 Irgun fighters were killed, and 3 @IDF soldiers were killed.
After a year, the Altalena was floated out to seat and sunk.
After a year, the Altalena was floated out to seat and sunk.
18/ The Altalena Affair exposed deep political rifts in Israel, and entrenched a long-held feud between Begin and Ben Gurion.
Begin later said "my greatest accomplishment was not retaliating and causing civil war."
It is sometimes called the ship that almost sank young Israel.
Begin later said "my greatest accomplishment was not retaliating and causing civil war."
It is sometimes called the ship that almost sank young Israel.
19/ There is much more nuance to this story than this thread can do justice for. I recommend reading @DanielGordis "Menachem Begin: The Battle for Israel's Soul" for more information.
https://www.amazon.ca/Menachem-Begin-Battle-Israels-Soul/dp/0805243127#:~:text=Menachem%20Begin%3A%20The%20Battle%20for%20Israel's%20Soul%20Hardcover%20%E2%80%93%20March%204%202014&text=Reviled%20as%20a%20fascist%20by,was%20both%20complex%20and%20controversial.
https://www.amazon.ca/Menachem-Begin-Battle-Israels-Soul/dp/0805243127#:~:text=Menachem%20Begin%3A%20The%20Battle%20for%20Israel's%20Soul%20Hardcover%20%E2%80%93%20March%204%202014&text=Reviled%20as%20a%20fascist%20by,was%20both%20complex%20and%20controversial.
20/ In 2012, the Altalena's wreckage was discovered - it was found sitting on the seabed several km from Rishon LeZion, 300 meters deep. The Israel Govt has announced a plan to raise the wreck and install it as a monument on dry land. We will see what happens!
