Lead

Nearly six decades after an Israeli attack on a US Navy ship killed 34 American service members, the incident has resurfaced in Congress. On June 8, the 59th anniversary of the attack on the USS Liberty, Republican Representative Thomas Massie delivered a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives calling for a new investigation into the attack, which also injured 171 crew members. His remarks, made in the presence of survivors, marked a rare congressional acknowledgement of the lingering questions surrounding the incident, which has long been a point of contention between the United States and Israel.

Coverage comparison

The attack on the USS Liberty occurred on June 8, 1967, during Israel's Six-Day War. The intelligence-gathering ship was stationed off the Sinai Peninsula when it came under attack by Israeli jets and torpedo boats. Israel has maintained that the assault was a case of mistaken identity, saying its forces believed the vessel was Egyptian. The Israeli government has apologized and paid damages to the US and the victims' families, and multiple US investigations, including by the CIA, have concluded that the attack was a mistake, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

However, some survivors and researchers have disputed this version of events, arguing that the attack was deliberate. Richard Brooks, the Liberty's chief engineer, was quoted by Dawn as saying, "It was a deliberate attack. They knew who we were. They wanted to sink us." Massie echoed this sentiment in his House speech, citing US military and intelligence officials who he said had cast doubt on the official findings.

The renewed attention comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the US-Israel relationship. Al Jazeera noted that the attack has become a rallying point for critics of Israel, and Massie's speech comes amid growing opposition to unconditional US aid to Israel. The Jerusalem Post, while covering Massie's call, framed the incident as a "decades-old conspiracy theory" that has become a touchstone for Israel's critics.

Key claims

  • 34 US crew members were killed in the attack, and 171 were injured, as reported by multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera, Dawn, and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Israel apologized for the attack and paid damages to the US and the families of the victims, a claim carried by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Multiple US investigations, including by the CIA, have determined that the attack was a mistake, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Some survivors and researchers have claimed the attack was deliberate, as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn.
  • Rep. Thomas Massie called for an investigation into the attack on the House floor, as reported by multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has elevated the counterintelligence threat posed by Israel to its highest level of 'critical', as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn.
  • Jonathan Pollard, a US Navy civilian intelligence analyst, was arrested for passing classified information to Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn.

Perspectives

Israel's official position

The Israeli government has consistently maintained that the attack on the USS Liberty was a case of mistaken identity, a "friendly fire" accident. Israel apologized for the attack and paid damages, and multiple US investigations, including by the CIA, have supported this conclusion, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Critics and survivors

Some USS Liberty survivors and researchers dispute the official narrative, arguing that the attack was deliberate and that the crew's identity was clear. Richard Brooks, the ship's chief engineer, stated, "It was a deliberate attack. They knew who we were. They wanted to sink us," as quoted by Dawn. Rep. Massie has amplified these claims, calling for a new investigation.

Rep. Thomas Massie

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, took to the House floor to call for a new investigation, saying the survivors deserve closure. He cited US military and intelligence officials who he said believed the attack was intentional, whether as a false flag operation or to prevent observation, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.