Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, on Sunday that the message of the Altalena incident is that Israel should never have a civil war.
Speaking at a memorial observance for those who died 63 years ago, when the Israeli army opened fire on the Haganah militia's weapon ship, Netanyahu said, "One must bite one's tongue and restrain one's self and accept the rule of the country over all the disagreements, injuries and insults. The biggest contribution of the Altalena, despite the terrible pain, is to the stability and unity of the society and people of Israel."