23 июн 1948 г. - Altalena Affair

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The Altalena Affair was a severe conflict in June 1948 between the newly formed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Irgun, a Jewish paramilitary group. The clash centered on the Altalena, a ship loaded with weapons and fighters for the Irgun, arriving during its integration into the IDF. This confrontation risked civil war in the nascent State of Israel.

As the British Mandate for Palestine ended and Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, the provisional government began forming the IDF, integrating various paramilitary groups. The Irgun, having planned to support Israel’s defense, loaded the Altalena with fighters and arms, funded in part by a clandestine agreement with the French government. The ship set sail from Europe delayed due to organizational issues and arrived during a sensitive time of ceasefire in the ongoing Arab-Israeli War.

Upon learning of the Altalena’s departure, Israeli leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, insisted that all arms be handed over to the government, fearing the reinforcement of an independent militia. As the Altalena approached Israel, negotiations faltered over the distribution of its cargo. Tensions escalated when the ship reached Kfar Vitkin, leading to an ultimatum from the IDF demanding the surrender of the weapons.

Despite attempts to resolve the standoff peacefully, fighting broke out, leading Ben-Gurion to order the IDF to intercept the ship as it attempted to relocate to Tel Aviv. The conflict reached its peak with the shelling of the Altalena near Tel Aviv’s shore, causing casualties on both sides and the eventual destruction of the ship.

The Altalena Affair highlighted the fragility of Israel’s new political unity, exposing deep divisions within its military factions. It underscored the challenges faced by the provisional government in consolidating power and enforcing a monopoly on armed force, crucial for the survival of the emerging state.

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