Loading ...49 Years Ago, Israel Attacked a U.S. Naval Ship - Still No Justice
June 8 marks the 49th anniversary of the attack on American naval ship, the USS Liberty, by Israeli forces. The attack left 34 Americans dead and another 171 severely wounded.
The incident occurred in 1967 during the Arab-Israeli war, in which Egypt, Syria, and Jordan waged a war against Israel. The USS Liberty was an unarmed communications ship and was told to stand down because an attack was not expected. Evidently, the ship was spying on Egyptian, Israeli, and Russian operations. Survivors of the attack claim the U.S. flag was waving on the ship, but Israel claims it was not.
Israel monitored the USS Liberty for eight hours before deciding to attack. Although the U.S. flag and the navy ship’s large white letters and numerals were easily identifiable from air, Israel attacked the ship using French-fighter jets for the duration of 75 minutes.
President Johnson quickly adopted the Israeli version of events that occurred that day, accepting that it was a simple “error” on Israel’s part. In his autobiography, Johnson even distorted the number of navy men killed and wounded from the attack, saying only 10 died and 100 were wounded. Johnson also awarded the captain of the USS Liberty the Medal of Honor in a hushed, non-public ceremony, which is contrary to all other practices.
All attacks on the U.S. military require an investigation by the government, but the USS Liberty has never been afforded this right. Today, no mainstream media source will touch the subject or recognize the veterans as survivors of an Israeli attack on Americans.
For 49 years, survivors of the USS Liberty attack have been vying for recognition and honesty about the events that occurred. As another Memorial Day weekend passes, this attack is another reminder of those who have honorably served in the U.S. armed forces.
Today, at Arlington National Cemetery, survivors of the USS Liberty attack will honor those who died that day at the hands of reckless Israeli forces.
Compiled by Arab America