Was the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty justified?

Question

The USS Liberty was an unarmed US reconaissance ship stationed in international waters off the Gaza coast when it was attacked by Israel on June 8, 1967. Thirty-four US service men were killed.

The USS Liberty was flying a large American flag in full view; there is no resemblance at all to the Egyptian steamer the Israelis used as an excuse; the weather was clear and since the attack went on for several hours it is impossible none of the attackers could have failed to notice the American markings and flag; also, recorded radio transmissions between Israeli pilots and their base contained confirmation of an American ship but orders were given to attack anyway. It was no accident.

Answer 1

Right_back, you should keep such ignorant comments to yourself. My cousin died on that ship. The Israeli's should've been blown off the goddamned map for attacking a US ship in INTERNATIONAL waters. The attack was wholly illegal and unjustified. The only thing Israel is sorry for is not finishing the job and killing them all, which was their intent. They KNEW the ship was American. They believed that the Liberty had intercepted Israeli comms that would've proven that Israel started the 1967 war and wanted that proof sent to the bottom of the Med. The US has gone to war for far less provocation.

Answer 2

it was an accident Isreal stated that and America accepts it as a accident htanks for blowing smoke up our a s s. The United States did ten investagations of the incident and concluded it a tragic accident moron....here the tapes were releaed 2003 under the freedom of information act...WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Tapes released by the National Security Agency shed new light on the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty that killed 34 Americans and is one of the most controversial mysteries in U.S. Navy history.

The attack, which took place in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula on June 8, 1967, during the Six Day War, also left 171 Americans injured.

The Israelis have always said the attack on the Liberty, which was monitoring communications in the war, was a tragic accident.

But some survivors and senior U.S. officials at the time have said they believe the attack was a deliberate effort to stop American surveillance of Israeli activities during the conflict.

The NSA on Tuesday released audiotapes of Israeli pilots and ground control speaking in Hebrew, along with English transcripts.

The recordings were made by a nearby American surveillance aircraft in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

"For your info, it is apparently an Arab ship," says ground control.

"Roger," says the pilot.

"It is an Egyptian supply ship," says ground control.

"Roger," comes the response.

The NSA released the tapes and transcripts under the Freedom of Information Act in response to a request from Miami Judge Jay Cristol.

An author of a book on the attack, Cristol said the tapes show it was a tragic accident in a time of war -- that the Israelis mistook the ship for an Egyptian one.

"I don't think there's any question that anyone who reads these tapes would be absolutely convinced there was the fog of war out there," Cristol said.

Later on the tape, the Israelis sound confused and concerned. Ground control orders the helicopter pilots to look for survivors and to check their nationality.

"If they speak Arabic -- Egyptians -- you're taking them to Al-Arish. If they speak English -- non-Egyptians -- you're taking them to Lod. Is that clear?" says ground control.

"Roger," says the pilot.

Answer 3

I am going to take my time to answer this question to make sure my spelling is correct so that you don't bite my legs off.
No, the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty was not justified. Deep down, leaders have a vendetta. Some will use God or anything that is popular to get people to side with them so that they can get away with doing what ever they want to do. It is amazing what some people do when they get a little power.

Answer 4

there remains information regarding this issue which is still not public and it is most likely that it wont be declassified in our lifetime.

it did have something to do with the cold war. Russian fighter jets where all over the place, it was in the middle of a war. a Russian shop rescued the survivors.

what we do know is that no big fuss was made about it.

according to the popular theory in the Intel world, it was a simple case of blackmail from the Jewish state. America at the time had info it did not pass on due to the then rocky relationship regarding the war... Israel spelt the message loud and clear, 'with us or against us'

Answer 5

no they were not in any way justified. the ship could clearly be identifyed by its numbers and a large american flag. however many people dont no of this attack because, and im not being anti-simetic, the jewish lobby is the most powerful in the country,and they control the media and the fund politions. so no the attackes were not justifed, yet our support of israel came at the cost of 32 saliors and 2 marines.

Answer 6

No, the attack was not justified, in fact it was planned.
It is known as a "False Flag" Op. - an engineered incident in order to blame some other country (Egypt), and to create a precedent for military action. It would have succeeded but for the Russians who arrived at the scene.

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
Hermann Göring 1946 Nuremberg Trials (Nazi)

This "incident" is by no means a one off, The US Government has lied about many wars. The increase of troops in Vietnam was based on an attack in the Tonkin Gulf that never happened. Some say that Roosevelt knew about Pearl Harbor and let it happen to get support to join World War Two. The Spanish-American War (Remember the Maine!) was also based on a hoax.

Not to mention the numerous covert wars that they lied about. Iran-Contra, the overthrow of Mossadegh in Iran, Allende in Chile, Arbenz in Guatemala. Also the war in Panama, against someone who was on the payroll of the CIA. Cuba as well. The Bay of Pigs invasion was supported by the CIA, and the people who invaded were trained by the CIA in Guatemala.


Also, after reading what Dubya's puppeteers had to say in 2000;-
"Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event – like a new Pearl Harbor"
Project for the New American Century (2000)

It brings into question 9/11, which was never investigated properly, and has been hijacked in order to enact Dubya's agenda and the subsequent illegitimate wars.
The 9/11 documentary Loose Change 2nd edition is available free on Youtube:-

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGEb40o17yE&search=loose%20change%202nd%20edition

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOVWBQKUpsU&search=loose%20change%202nd%20edition

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtV1uxYnu0w&search=loose%20change%202nd%20edition

Decide for yourselves people ;)


I do agree with Dubya on one thing:-

"I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the ugly American is for us to go around the world saying, "We do it this way. So should you."
"I think the United States must be humble and must be proud and confident of our values, but humble in how we treat nations that are figuring out how to chart their own course."
George W. Bush - 2nd presidential debate Oct 11th 2000

Answer 7

Well if I was Israeli I'd say yes, because it was an information gathering ship, but because I have a heart and I'm not an animal no it wasn't justified they couldn't even protect themselves only cowards harm the unarmed.

Answer 8

From all I've read on this, and despite all the rhetoric, this was one of those unfortunate 'friendly-fire' type incidents that happen in the fog of war. Nothing has dissuaded me from this opinion, because the facts do not support any other conclusion.

Answer 9

It was almost 40 years ago, they are still groups trying to get answers. No it wasn't justified, but our democrat president Johnson felt it prudent to classify it and sweep it under the rug. What did he not want to get out. Who knows.

Answer 10

Freedom Hammer: Post a link so that your testimony may be viewed by all.

Until then you nothing more than JABL

Just Another Bumbling Liberal