Why are the survivors of the USS Liberty attack still left wanting answers over fifty years later?
At a Glance
- The US government is withholding hundreds of pages of documents related to the USS Liberty attack on June 8, 1967.
- A FOIA lawsuit revealed new details but failed to release all requested documents.
- Reports suggest Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan ordered the attack, knowing the ship was American.
- The CIA and other agencies have withheld significant information, with some documents heavily redacted or missing.
- The HAC Report, which may contain crucial testimony, is believed to be held only by the NSA.
Demand for Transparency
Survivors of the infamous USS Liberty attack in 1967 continue their fight for answers, demanding the declassification of hundreds of relevant documents. Veterans like James Scott, Larry Bowen, and Phil Tourney, including many other advocates, have pushed for transparency concerning the attack in front of various legislative bodies. Despite compensations provided by Israel to the victims’ families, critical questions remain on how such a grave error occurred and why U.S. intervention was missing.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit brought forward revealed some new information. However, it still left significant portions of the material classified or redacted. Survivors believe that full transparency is necessary to understand the reality of the event entirely and dispel any conspiracy theories surrounding the incident.
Controversial Attack
The attack on the USS Liberty resulted in the deaths of 34 Americans and injured more than 170 others, attributed officially to mistaken identity by Israeli forces. However, intelligence reports later indicated that Israeli forces may have known the ship was American before the attack. Yet, U.S. government reviews, including the US Naval Court of Inquiry, did not investigate Israel’s culpability adequately, with substantial portions of their findings classified until 1976.
“Israel’s forces knew exactly what flag the Liberty was flying” – sources in Tel Aviv.
The CIA and other intelligence agencies have withheld vital documents, with some not acknowledged at all. The withholding of a June 28, 1967, briefing to Congress is one example of such negligence. Advocates believe releasing these documents could provide crucial insight into the events leading up to and following the attack.
Need for Full Disclosure
Beyond allegations of cover-ups, survivors and advocates argue that various U.S. intelligence agencies possess crucial yet undisclosed information. Specifically, the HAC Report, allegedly held only by the NSA, might contain pivotal testimony about the Liberty incident. Yet, the NSA and alike agencies have denied possessing many corresponding records related to the attack.
“Pure murder” – one of whom characterized the attack.
The survivors’ ongoing struggle for transparency is seen as vital to uncovering the truth that has remained buried for decades. As they appeal to legislative bodies, their persistence serves as a reminder that justice, clarity, and truth should never be overshadowed by political convenience or bureaucracy.
