As Israel heads to elections, the Altalena offers a lesson in unity - opinion

Even in the contentious months leading up to an election, Israel continues to be reminded of the values and bonds that unite the nation. Recently, the return of Yehuda Katz, a soldier who perished in southern Lebanon 44 years prior, served as a poignant reminder. Most recently, the discovery of the Altalena has brought forth a lesson of great importance.

The Altalena, named after the ideological founder of the Revisionist Zionist movement, was a ship carrying fighters, immigrants, and Holocaust survivors along with a stash of weapons. Upon its arrival in the new state, opposition leader Menachem Begin sought to claim a share of the weaponry for his own organization, the Irgun. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion insisted that all the weapons be handed over to the IDF, perceiving the situation as the birth of "an army within an army."

Facing this confrontation, Ben-Gurion decided to seize the ship by force. As it docked at Tel Aviv's beach, fronted by the city, the government ordered it to be shelled. During this incident, 16 Irgun members lost their lives, and Begin urged his followers, "Do not raise a hand against a brother, not even today. It is forbidden for a Hebrew weapon to be used against Hebrew fighters."

The incident is often cited as being the closest Israel has come to a civil war; however, recent events, such as the judicial-reform protests and the ongoing war, may have given it more serious competition.

The Altalena is typically remembered as the closest Israel has ever come to civil war. However, the turbulent climate in recent years, including the October 7 massacre, has made the issue more pertinent than ever. It is often observed that Israel's unity stems from the presence of enemies who wish to see the state destroyed. To quote Voltaire, if the threat of Israel's annihilation did not exist, it would need to be invented. Removing this external adversary would quickly expose the real threat posed by fellow Jews.

Despite the mounting pressure during the 2026 election, Israel remains more than just one pivotal event. This nation is the project of all its people, regardless of their political views or the ruling party in office. The ongoing debate surrounding the Altalena pivots around two questions: Was Begin justified in demanding preferential treatment for the Irgun, and was Ben-Gurion right to intervene?

No historian, whether they sympathize with Begin or not, would argue that Begin should have retaliated in the same manner. Over time, it becomes clear that certain principles, such as unity, outweigh the political gains of any one party.

While I cannot definitively determine whether Ben-Gurion's decision was the right one at the time, I am confident that it would not hold true today. In the current climate, it is impossible to depend on a magnanimous figure such as Begin to prioritize larger principles over short-term gains. Consequently, I must stress the significance of the Altalena's return as a reminder in this contentious chapter of Israel's history.

No matter the outcome of this election, it is crucial not to abandon the project of Israel. We must remember why Begin held his fire – not solely due to looming external enemies or the opponent's justifications, but because of the enduring truth that has bound this country together through war and peace, through every contentious election: a brother must not fight a brother.