"They treated Dad like a traitor": The wound that passed through the Altalena families reopens | Dudi Patimer

Dudi Patimer's report reveals the familial wound of relatives of the Altalena fallen and survivors following the ship's rediscovery. Family members of Tzvi Reifer, Itamar Lifshitz, Eliyahu Lankin, and Chaim Vider share memories of loss, sacrifice, and historical political anger, alongside fear of misuse of the ship's story to divide Israeli society.

Dudi Patimer's report in Maariv reveals the familial wound that has reopened following the discovery of the Altalena ship at sea. Family members of the ship's fallen and survivors share personal memories of loss, sacrifice, and historical political anger. Tzvi Reifer, an Irgun fighter who became an IDF soldier, was killed by a bullet to the neck while trying to unload weapons at Kfar Vitkin. Itamar Lifshitz was shot and died on the spot as he descended from the ship. Eliyahu Lankin, who was the ship's commander, was arrested and released after about two months. Chaim Vider, who survived the fire, swore never to vote for Mapai. The family members express grave concern that the story will be exploited to divide society, and call for treating history with great caution.