[Rightwing Canuck]

This isn't the first time I've heard this story, nor is it the first time I've heard rumours about the attacks being deliberate. I've never understood, however, why they would be - why would Israel attack its biggest supporter, especially when that supporter could crush it in a day?

[Free the USA]

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[spqrzilla9]

In 1967, the US was not the large supporter of Israel that it became later.

[Channel_Islands_EANx_Diver]

The USS Liberty was providing intel to Egypt that Israel had fighters in the air with tactical nuclear weapons. Thats why they were attacked.

I served with an RM1 in the Navy years and years ago.

[ThreeOfSeven]

This isn't the first time I've heard this story, nor is it the first time I've heard rumours about the attacks being deliberate. I've never understood, however, why they would be - why would Israel attack its biggest supporter, especially when that supporter could crush it in a day?

Unfortunately, history has proven there wasn't much of a downside for Israel in attacking the U.S.S. Liberty. The Israelis only called off the attack after it became clear the U.S.S. Liberty's radio operator had sent off a message identifying the ship's attackers as Israeli.

[P8riot]

Deliberate or not. It profoundly affected my family.

My father was a Lt. Col in the Marines at the time. He an LCDR Armstrong, the XO of the Liberty, were best friends.I knew him as "Uncle Phil", I was only 10 years old at the time, but I don't ever remember my dad drinking before Uncle Phil was killed. Later, drinking killed my dad, his liver turned to stone.

[luvbach1]

I am not an Israel hater, far from it, but I am an American first. Israel will attack anyone they perceive as damaging to their interests, as they obviously considered our surveillance ship, albeit in international waters, to be. The facts are well known, I won't recount more than a few: broad daylight attack; large US flag flying; extended-duration attack, etc. One thing is indisputable, the Israelis are anything but stupid, so the credibility of this being an accident is absolutely nill.

[luvbach1]

Israel knew we would not retaliate.