The Altalena, purchased by Irgun members abroad, was originally intended to reach Israel on May 15, 1948, loaded with fighters and military equipment. Weapons purchase and organizational matters took longer than expected, however, and the sailing was postponed for several weeks. Meanwhile, on June 1st, an agreement had been signed for the absorption of the Irgun into the IDF and one of the ...

Altalena Part I June 16, 1948-North of Netanya, Israel. General Moshe Dayan watched as gunfire swept over the Altalena, an Irgun ship trying illegally to land arms on the coast of the brand new State of Israel. &nbsp&nbsp Figures the Irgun to screw us over right when we get a truce with the Arabs, Dayan growled. He was already wondering who the real enemy was. A sudden roar of a cannon engulfed ...