Atlit Ceremonies 2022

Sadly, this memorial became corroded by the sea air, and it was decided to replace it with one that would last longer and be easier to maintain. This has taken place, and the opportunity arose on March 31st, 2022 to rededicate the memorial to clandestine immigrants to the land of Israel (then known as Palestine.) The costs of the renewed memorial were met between the Atlit museum and Love Never Fails.

At the same time we were able to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the immigrant ship "Moledet". This ship arrived in Haifa from Europe in 1947, carrying many survivors of the holocaust looking for a new life in their historic and biblical homeland. Shockingly, the British authorities refused to allow the immigrants to land and passengers from the Moledet was sent to Cyprus, where the immigrants were imprisoned in a detention camp similar to Atlit. They were not allowed into their homeland until after independence in 1948.

The two people unveiling the new memorial are Orna Kavel (whose mother was on the Moledet) and Hugh Starey (whose father was a British Officer in Palestine and present when the Moledet docked.)

Michael Treharne, Director of Bridges for Peace UK represented LNF, as did Anne Heelis Founder of Nacahmu Ami and Rosie Ross, founder of Repairing The Breach. Michael made a speech acknowledging the shocking failings of the British Government through the 1939 White Paper. The White Paper was a clear betrayal of the pledges made through the Balfour Declaration of 1917 to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in the biblical land of Israel. Michael also spoke of how LNF ministries are supportive of Israel in humanitarian projects and Parliamentary lobbying. At the unveiling of the new memorial, Rosie spoke of our sorrow over the British betrayal of the clandestine immigrants.

We are privileged to have spoken directly to the clandestine immigrants represented at this dual event, and with them to remember those Jewish immigrants who didn't make it. Around 3000 died at sea on their way home, many directly because of British policies, but this new waves memorial honours their memory, and keeps the stories alive. Our involvement with Atlit and with the remaining ma'apilim and their families is deeply appreciated, and brings healing.