U.S. agency confirms sinking of USS Liberty was accident

Haaretz ^ | 9/7/2003 | Nathan Guttman

[drlevy88]

but the Israelis themselves as their conversations being secretly recorded by the United States prove, did not.

At some level. The US spy planes picked up the communications to the pilots only.

[dennisw]

Take a hike...... I notice you don't deny there are many who hate Israel out there. Go play your game of lumping 'em all together on some one else.

[adam_az]

You worked with someone who was traumatized by the attack, but how could this person claim to know what was in the minds of Israeli pilots?

The "eyewitness" accounts differ in man important ways - they are not all identical. That's how eyewitness accounts are, especially eyewitness accounts under fire. It's also natural to want to blame people for the loss of your friends lives. I have nothing against the survivors - they survived a horrible accident.

Why would the NSA release this at such a late date if they were just making it all up? Are you saying the intercept was doctored by the NSA? For what purpose?

You guys are really getting into tinfoil territory here.

[Nexus]

They had no idea what they were trying to sink:

"Pay attention. The ship is now identified as Egyptian," the pilots were told.

"Clarify by the first man that you bring up, what nationality he is, and report to me immediately,"

Considering the circumstances, I don't blame them. It wasn't murder, it was self defense. Their nation was on the line.

[Physicist]

The men who served and died on that ship will be called anti semitic rather soon on this thread.

I hope not. The men who were there have an excellent reason for not accepting the truth: they do not want to be told that they suffered and died for nothing more than somebody's negligence. They want to believe that their agony redounded to somebody's geopolitical purpose. They want a villain to blame, not a careless functionary. It's perfectly understandable...but that shouldn't affect the judgment of those of us who weren't there.

[JamminJAY]

Combat BUMP.

Jammer

[Courier]

Even I didn't expect some of these responses.

Maybe they are too stupid to understand.

The NSA, that's our spy agency, spying on Israeli communications as the event was occurring, at a time of war by the way, proves that the Israelis didn't know who they were attacking, and the issue becomes why the reporter for this story used the term "sink".

[Grampa Dave]

When I see an amazing lie/miss quote like that at the beginning of a story, that is it. The switch in my mind goes off, my CNS reflexes shout out, "Danger! This Article is full of lies! Go elsewhere!"

[adam_az]

At some level. The US spy planes picked up the communications to the pilots only.

DID YOU EVEN READ THE ARTICLE????

"Then, at 3:12, one of the pilots informed Hatzor that he saw an American flag flying over the wounded ship. He was asked to investigate and determine whether it was really an American ship."

What made you think they only recorded one side when the article quotes both sides?

Both sides are also available from the Israelis - who released them in 1987. Wanna bet both copies are identical?

[fightu4it]

Why doesn't someone poll the survivors? At this late point most are no doubt out of the military and free to tell their individual stories.

It doesn't get any better than first person accounts.

[drlevy88]

I mean to/from pilots. Sorry for not being clear. Who knows what was going on within hq or what they might have heard from elsewhere.

[adam_az]

Not to mention that the US Navy lied to Israel, claiming they had no ships in the combat area.

There are some serious tinfoil hat type morons on free republic. These threads always bring 'em out. At least Illbay is gone, finally!

[wideminded]

"Those who hate Israel, who hate Jews, and those who believe in conspiracy will not be convinced by anything."

I don't hate Israel or hate Jews and I don't like to be accused of such. I am 1/2 Jewish myself. I also don't think of myself as much of a conspiracy theorist. Nevertheless I believe the men who were on that ship over those who have political reasons for covering up the truth.

"Pay attention. The ship is now identified as Egyptian," the pilots were told.

These tapes, coming after the multiple attacks, could just be the initial step in the cover-up. They do not prove that the Israeli units making the attack and their commanders did not know the ship was American.

[SJackson]

Since I essentially accept Jay Cristol's conclusions, I'll wait to see what's in these new docs. Do you know where he's released them?

[NormsRevenge]

You should learn respect for those who have different opinions or interpretations from yours before you assess levels of intelligence.

I see a title, I know English and while there are many different meanings for the word "sink", the only thing this article has done is make a feeble attempt to stir up old emotions.

The question would be why? That's where it gets a bit stickier. What is the motivation?

[Little Bill]

Sink in English, as relating to a ship, has a very precise meaning, I am sure that the editors at Haaretz many of whom were educated in the US or UK are aware of that meaning.

NSA has an agenda which serves a political agenda, see the Venona Papers for example. Bye the way, when we were looking for people for our annual Israel day FReep against the palis where were you and if you were among many fine Jewish people that were defending Israel at the Commonwealth Pier why didn't you come on over and introduce yourself?

[Courier]

Seriously. What is wrong with you people?

First person account? Do you understand this news. The event was recorded in real time. By the United States. Secretly.

There is no question there was an attack. There is no question that Israel attacked an American ship. There is no question that the Liberty crew saw Israelis attacking them.

The only question is what did the Israelis know.

Here an unimpeachable American source tells you in real time what the Israelis knew, or didn't know.

They did not know they were attacking an American ship until it was too late.

It was an unfortunate accident. Like us killing those Canadians.

[Burkeman1]

Complete horsechips. The testimony of the men on that ship is uniform. It was attacked for OVER AN HOUR by both Israeli torpedo boats and aircraft! It was flying the flag unlike the liar Israeli excuse said. Whom do you believe?

[adam_az]

Often it doesn't get any WORSE than first person accounts!

Especially a "first person" who is inside a ship that's taking fire from highly trained IDF pilots.

The first person accounts of the Liberty survivors aren't even consistent on many basic facts, case in point:

Ask any lawyer or judge or police officer about the veracity (or lack thereof) of first person accounts.

[Courier]

"many fine Jewish people"

If I support Israel and common sense, does that make me Jewish? Or is it some other tell tale sign?