After 78 years: The cannon that fired on the Altalena transferred to the Irgun Museum

Hundreds attended the ceremony transferring the cannon that fired on the Altalena to the Irgun Museum in Binyamina. Minister Amichai Eliyahu linked the Altalena affair to rifts in Israeli society and the question of ownership of the national home. The event was attended by Defense Minister Katz, Itzik Shachmon, and Uzi Dayan.

Hundreds of people attended a festive ceremony this evening (Tuesday) marking the transfer of the "holy cannon," from which fire was directed at the Altalena ship, to the Irgun Museum in Binyamina. The move was led in recent years by Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, from the Otzma Yehudit party. The event, which also inaugurated the renewed Irgun Museum in Jabotinsky Park, was attended by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chairman of the Irgun Veterans Organization Itzik Shachmon, former Deputy Chief of Staff and former Knesset member Major General Uzi Dayan, public representatives, and heritage figures. Minister Eliyahu spoke and said: "The thread connecting the Altalena affair to the rifts in Israeli society is the question of ownership of the national home." He added: "The State of Israel is not the property of any political camp, elite, or particular institution. It is the national home of the entire Jewish people." The move joins Minister Eliyahu's activity to preserve the Irgun's heritage and commemorate the Altalena affair. About two months ago, the minister announced the discovery of the remains of the Altalena ship.