June 8, 1967, marks a pivotal moment in U.S. naval history and international relations with the tragic attack on the USS Liberty by Israeli forces. As we commemorate the 57th anniversary of this controversial event, it remains a subject of intense discussion and analysis. The incident, which occurred during the Six-Day War, saw Israeli jet fighters hitting the vessel with rockets, cannon fire, and napalm before three Israeli torpedo boats moved in to launch a second, more devastating attack. Though she did not sink, the Liberty was badly damaged. Thirty-four US servicemen and civilian analysts were killed, and another 171 were wounded.
Later, Israel apologized for what it claimed to be a tragic case of mistaken identity, asserting that it had believed the ship to be a hostile Egyptian naval vessel. While US President Lyndon Johnson was privately furious, the White House publicly chose not to challenge the word of its closest Middle East ally, accepting that the attack had been a catastrophic accident. However, as this exclusive Al Jazeera investigation reveals, fresh evidence throws new light on exactly what happened that fateful day – and the remarkable cover-up that followed. This goes a long way toward explaining the root of Israeli impunity, as the lack of accountability in such significant incidents contributes to a broader pattern of unchecked actions. After watching the documentary, do you believe the attack on the USS Liberty was a genuine mistake, or does the new evidence suggest a more deliberate act?