**Why Did Israel Attack USS Liberty? Unraveling The Truth**

Why Did Israel Attack Uss Liberty? The attack on the USS Liberty by Israel during the Six-Day War remains a contentious topic. In this detailed explanation, WHY.EDU.VN sheds light on the reasons and circumstances behind this incident. Dive in to understand the complexities, controversies, and facts surrounding this historical event. Understand the truth by exploring classified missions, communication failures, and conflicting accounts.

1. What Was The USS Liberty Incident?

The USS Liberty incident was an attack on a U.S. Navy technical research ship, the USS Liberty (AGTR-5), by Israeli Air Force and Navy forces on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War. The ship was conducting a signals intelligence collection mission in international waters off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula when it was attacked. This event led to significant controversy and speculation regarding the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack.

2. What Were The Official Explanations For The Attack On The USS Liberty?

The official explanation from the Israeli government is that the attack was a case of mistaken identity. Israel claimed that its forces misidentified the USS Liberty as an Egyptian vessel and that the attack was a result of a series of errors and miscommunications. This explanation was supported by the U.S. government, which accepted Israel’s apology and explanation. The incident was attributed to a combination of factors, including:

• Mistaken Identity: Israeli forces believed the USS Liberty was an Egyptian ship, the El Quseir, which was smaller and of a different design.
• Communication Errors: Failures in communication and coordination between Israeli naval and air forces led to the misidentification and subsequent attack.
• Time Pressure: The urgency of the Six-Day War and the need to respond quickly to perceived threats contributed to the errors.

3. What Factors Led To The Misidentification Of The USS Liberty?

Several factors contributed to the misidentification of the USS Liberty:

• Appearance: The USS Liberty was described as a “grey ship” which matched the color of some Egyptian vessels.
• Speed Miscalculation: Israeli forces miscalculated the speed of the USS Liberty, leading them to believe it was a warship traveling at a high speed.
• Lack of Clear Identification: The USS Liberty’s markings were not immediately apparent to the attacking forces. The American flag was either shot away or obscured by smoke early in the attack.
• Erroneous Information: The Israeli Combat Information Center (CIC) officer incorrectly calculated the ship’s speed as 30 knots, which, according to Israeli Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), indicated a warship.

4. What Communications Failures Contributed To The USS Liberty Incident?

Numerous communications failures and misroutings exacerbated the situation:

• Re-routing Orders: Five messages originating from Washington, D.C., ordering the USS Liberty to stay at least 100 nautical miles away from the war zone, were either misrouted, dropped, or not received by the ship until after the attack.
• Missing Messages: The USS Liberty did not receive a referenced Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) message that directed the 100-nautical mile stand-off.
• Watch Turnover: The fact that a U.S. ship was in the area was not communicated during an 11:00 watch turnover at Israeli naval headquarters.

These communication breakdowns were a significant embarrassment to the U.S. Navy and contributed to the incident.

5. What Were The Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The USS Liberty Attack?

Despite the official explanations, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged over the years, suggesting that the attack was deliberate. Some of the main theories include:

• Cover-Up Theory: This theory suggests that both the U.S. and Israeli governments engaged in a cover-up to protect their alliance and avoid damaging diplomatic relations.
• Intentional Attack: Proponents of this theory believe that Israel intentionally attacked the USS Liberty to prevent it from intercepting communications related to Israel’s planned attack on the Golan Heights.
• Knowledge of U.S. Presence: Some theorists argue that Israel knew the ship was American and attacked it to achieve specific strategic goals.

These theories often cite inconsistencies in official reports, witness testimonies, and the aggressive nature of the attack as evidence of a deliberate act.

6. What Evidence Supports The Claim Of Mistaken Identity In The USS Liberty Incident?

Several pieces of evidence support the claim of mistaken identity:

• Israeli Apology: Israel formally apologized for the attack and paid restitution to the families of those killed and injured.
• Communication Logs: Released U.S. and Israeli transcripts of Israeli communications show confusion about the ship’s identity.
• Naval Procedures: Israeli naval procedures at the time presumed that any unidentified ship traveling at high speed was a warship and could be attacked.

Alt text: A solemn USS Liberty memorial featuring the ship’s bell, American flag, and plaques honoring the fallen crew members.

7. What Evidence Suggests The Attack On The USS Liberty Was Deliberate?

Evidence cited by those who believe the attack was deliberate includes:

• Aggressiveness of the Attack: The sustained and coordinated nature of the air and sea attack suggests a deliberate effort to disable the ship.
• Targeting of Intelligence Compartment: The torpedo that hit the USS Liberty struck the intelligence compartment, leading some to believe that the Israelis were specifically targeting the ship’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.
• Witness Testimonies: Some survivors of the attack claim that the attacking forces knew the ship was American and that the attack was intentional.

8. What Was The Role Of The USS Liberty’s Intelligence-Gathering Mission?

The USS Liberty was tasked with collecting intelligence on military activity along the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Specifically, it was to monitor and collect (but not understand in real time) Israeli military activity in the Sinai, which had commenced with Israeli pre-emptive strikes on June 5.

8.1. Classified Nature of the Mission

The intelligence-gathering mission was classified at the time, which meant that the USS Liberty was officially designated as a general-purpose auxiliary technical research ship (AGTR). This classification contributed to the confusion and lack of transparency surrounding the incident.

8.2. Impact on Credibility

The initial Department of Defense press release deliberately contained false information due to the classified nature of the mission. This adversely affected the U.S. government’s credibility when the press and others determined the information to be false.

9. What Was The Impact Of The USS Liberty Incident On U.S.-Israeli Relations?

The USS Liberty incident strained U.S.-Israeli relations, although the two countries maintained a strong alliance. The incident led to increased scrutiny of U.S. support for Israel and calls for a thorough investigation. Despite these tensions, the U.S. government accepted Israel’s apology and explanation, preventing a major diplomatic crisis.

10. What Were The Key Findings Of The Official Investigations Into The USS Liberty Attack?

The official investigations into the USS Liberty attack concluded that the incident was a result of mistaken identity and communication errors. The U.S. Navy conducted a board of inquiry, which determined that the attack was unintentional. However, the findings of these investigations have been criticized by some who believe that they were not thorough enough and that they failed to address key questions about the attack.

11. What Role Did Technology Play In The USS Liberty Incident?

Technology played a significant role in the USS Liberty incident, particularly in the areas of communication and identification.

• Communication Failures: Misrouted messages and the failure to receive critical orders contributed to the USS Liberty being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• Radar Technology: Initial radar contact by Israeli MTBs miscalculated Liberty’s speed due to atmospheric ducting, leading to the erroneous assumption it was a warship.
• Identification Challenges: The limitations of visual identification from high-speed aircraft, coupled with obscured markings and the lack of real-time language translation, contributed to the misidentification.

12. How Did The Six-Day War Context Influence The USS Liberty Incident?

The context of the Six-Day War significantly influenced the USS Liberty incident:

• Heightened Tensions: The war created an environment of heightened alert and urgency, leading to hasty decisions and errors.
• Military Objectives: Israel was focused on achieving its military objectives quickly and decisively, which may have contributed to a less cautious approach in identifying potential threats.
• Information Overload: The rapid pace of the war may have overwhelmed communication channels and led to critical information being overlooked.

13. What Were The Casualties And Damages Suffered By The USS Liberty?

The attack on the USS Liberty resulted in significant casualties and damages:

• Fatalities: 34 U.S. Navy personnel, including officers, sailors, and Marines, were killed.
• Injuries: 171 crew members were injured.
• Ship Damage: The USS Liberty sustained extensive damage from the air and sea attack, including a large torpedo hole in the hull.

14. How Did The Media Cover The USS Liberty Incident?

The media coverage of the USS Liberty incident was initially limited due to the classified nature of the ship’s mission. Over time, more information became available, leading to increased media attention.

14.1. Initial Reports

Initial reports often relied on official statements from the U.S. and Israeli governments, which attributed the attack to mistaken identity.

14.2. Later Investigations

Later investigations and documentaries explored the conspiracy theories and raised questions about the official explanations.

14.3. Impact of Conspiracy Theories

The spread of conspiracy theories impacted the perception of the incident and contributed to ongoing controversy.

15. How Did The USS Liberty Crew Members Respond To The Incident?

The USS Liberty crew members responded to the incident with bravery and resilience. Despite the chaos and danger, they worked tirelessly to save their ship and their shipmates.

• Heroic Actions: Crew members exhibited heroic actions in fighting fires, providing medical assistance, and maintaining the ship’s stability.
• Disappointment with Investigations: Many crew members expressed disappointment with the official investigations, believing that they did not uncover the full truth about the attack.
• Advocacy for Recognition: Some crew members have advocated for greater recognition of the sacrifices made during the incident and for a more thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

16. What Lessons Were Learned From The USS Liberty Incident?

Several lessons were learned from the USS Liberty incident:

• Importance of Clear Communication: The incident highlighted the critical importance of clear and reliable communication in military operations.
• Need for Accurate Identification: Accurate identification of potential targets is essential to prevent friendly fire incidents.
• Transparency and Accountability: Transparency and accountability are necessary to maintain public trust and ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

17. How Has The USS Liberty Incident Been Remembered And Memorialized?

The USS Liberty incident has been remembered and memorialized in various ways:

• Memorials: Memorials have been erected to honor the crew members who lost their lives in the attack.
• Books and Documentaries: Numerous books and documentaries have been produced to tell the story of the USS Liberty incident.
• Annual Commemorations: Annual commemorations are held to remember the incident and honor the crew members.

18. What Legal Actions Resulted From The USS Liberty Incident?

While no formal legal actions were taken against Israel by the U.S. government, several legal and administrative actions followed the USS Liberty incident:

• Restitution Payments: Israel paid several million dollars in restitution to the families of those killed and to the injured crew members.
• Congressional Investigations: The incident led to Congressional investigations and a subsequent overhaul of U.S. Navy communications systems and networks.
• Naval Board of Inquiry: The U.S. Navy conducted a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

19. What Impact Did The USS Liberty Attack Have On Naval Doctrine?

The USS Liberty attack had several impacts on naval doctrine:

• Communication Improvements: The U.S. Navy implemented significant improvements in communication systems to prevent similar failures in the future.
• Identification Protocols: Enhanced identification protocols were developed to reduce the risk of mistaken identity incidents.
• Intelligence Mission Oversight: Greater oversight was implemented for intelligence-gathering missions to ensure that they are conducted safely and effectively.

20. How Do Historians View The USS Liberty Incident?

Historians hold varying perspectives on the USS Liberty incident:

• Mistaken Identity: Some historians support the official explanation of mistaken identity, citing the chaotic circumstances of the Six-Day War.
• Deliberate Attack: Other historians argue that the evidence suggests a deliberate attack, pointing to inconsistencies in official reports and witness testimonies.
• Ongoing Debate: The debate among historians continues, with new evidence and perspectives emerging over time.

21. What Is The Significance Of The USS Liberty Incident Today?

The significance of the USS Liberty incident today lies in its lessons about the complexities of international relations, the importance of accurate information, and the need for accountability in military operations. The incident continues to be a subject of debate and controversy, reminding us of the human cost of conflict and the enduring impact of historical events.

21.1. Diplomatic and Political Implications

The incident underscores the delicate balance in diplomatic relations, particularly between allies, and the challenges of reconciling differing narratives.

21.2. Military and Intelligence Practices

It serves as a case study in the importance of clear communication, accurate identification, and the ethical considerations of intelligence gathering.

21.3. Historical Memory

The USS Liberty incident remains a part of the historical memory, prompting ongoing reflection on the events and their implications.

22. How Can Individuals Learn More About The USS Liberty Incident?

Individuals can learn more about the USS Liberty incident through various resources:

• Books: Numerous books have been written about the incident, offering different perspectives and interpretations. A recent book, The Liberty Incident Revealed (a follow-on to an earlier book) by Jay Cristol, published by U.S. Naval Institute in 2013, is the most thoroughly researched, has verifiable sourcing, and is certainly the most objective account.
• Documentaries: Several documentaries have explored the incident, featuring interviews with survivors and experts.
• Official Reports: Official reports from the U.S. and Israeli governments provide detailed accounts of the incident.

Alt text: The USS Liberty underway in 1965, displaying its technical research ship designation, GTR-5, at bow and stern.

23. What Were The Israeli Claims Of Egyptian Subterfuge During The Six-Day War?

During the Six-Day War, Israeli forces claimed that Egyptian ships sometimes used subterfuge in their markings. This involved using Arabic script for names and numbers, potentially to disguise their identity or mislead enemy forces.

23.1. Language Deception

The use of Arabic script was intended to confuse observers, particularly in situations where quick identification was necessary. This practice added to the challenges faced by Israeli forces in accurately identifying vessels during the conflict.

23.2. Impact on Identification

However, the Israeli air controller’s initial concern shifted from hitting a U.S. ship to hitting a Soviet intelligence collection ship (AGI), as Soviet AGIs typically used Cyrillic script.

24. What Were The U.S. Assurances About Ships Near The Combat Zone?

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations publicly assured on June 6 that no U.S. ships or aircraft were operating within 100 miles of the combat zone. The fact that the USS Liberty was operating well inside this radius became a major embarrassment to the U.S. State Department when the attack occurred.

24.1. Diplomatic Implications

This discrepancy between the public assurance and the actual location of the USS Liberty created diplomatic tensions and added to the complexity of the incident.

24.2. Damage to Credibility

The situation raised questions about the transparency of U.S. operations and damaged the credibility of U.S. assurances in the international arena.

25. What Was The Role Of LCDR Moshe Oren In The USS Liberty Incident?

LCDR (Lieutenant Commander) Moshe Oren commanded MTB Division 914, which consisted of three motor torpedo boats (MTBs). In response to reports of shelling from the sea, the Israeli navy ordered Oren’s MTBs to intercept the ship believed to be the source.

25.1. Initial Actions

As the MTBs made initial radar contact with the ship, the combat information center (CIC) officer on Oren’s command MTB erroneously calculated the USS Liberty’s speed as 30 knots. This miscalculation led Oren to believe that the ship was a warship and that he needed to intercept it quickly.

25.2. Authorization for Torpedoes

Oren requested and received authorization to employ torpedoes, based on the mistaken presumption that the contact was an Egyptian destroyer. This decision had tragic consequences when one of the torpedoes hit the USS Liberty.

25.3. Identification Issues

After the MTBs caught up to the heavily damaged USS Liberty, Oren and the skippers of the other boats initially identified the ship as the Egyptian transport vessel El Quseir. Despite doubts from a junior officer, the MTBs proceeded with the attack.

26. How Did Israeli Aircraft Identify The USS Liberty?

Israeli aircraft returning from a combat air patrol (CAP) mission over the Sinai were ordered to locate, identify, and attack the contact if it was a warship. The pilots identified the USS Liberty as a warship painted gray.

26.1. Misidentification

The pilots also identified the USS Liberty as a destroyer, likely because they expected to see a destroyer if an Egyptian ship was shelling El Arish. At a safe distance and altitude, the pilots did not discern the American flag or the “GTR-5” markings on the bow and stern.

26.2. Request for Clearance

After double-checking with the navy that the contact was a warship, the air force controller cleared the fighters to engage. This decision led to the initial air attack on the USS Liberty.

27. What Was The Significance Of The “GTR-5” Marking On The USS Liberty?

The USS Liberty carried “GTR-5” painted on each side at the bow and stern. This marking identified the ship as a general-purpose auxiliary technical research ship. However, during the attack, Israeli forces misidentified the marking.

27.1. Misinterpretation

The Israeli fighter misidentified “GTR-5” as “C”TR-5, leading to the mistaken belief that the ship was a Soviet intelligence collection ship (AGI). Soviet AGIs were typically identified with CCB-##, using Cyrillic script.

27.2. Impact on Identification

This misinterpretation added to the confusion and contributed to the prolonged attack, as Israeli forces struggled to accurately identify the USS Liberty.

28. How Did The USS Liberty Crew Attempt To Defend Themselves?

The USS Liberty was armed with four .50-caliber machine guns, intended only to repel boarders. Despite the limited weaponry, the crew attempted to defend themselves during the attack.

28.1. Initial Response

CDR McGonagle ordered the machine guns to Condition One as he grew suspicious of the jets’ actions. One sailor, GMG3 Alexander Thompson, Jr., opened fire but was killed during the second pass.

2.2. Communication Difficulties

With communications destroyed, it was difficult to coordinate a defense. A forward gunner fired one .50-caliber round before a cease-fire order was given.

29. What Actions Did CDR McGonagle Take During The Attack?

CDR (Commander) McGonagle took several critical actions during the attack:

• Ordered General Quarters: He immediately called general quarters when he noticed the jets’ suspicious actions.
• Ordered Machine Guns to Condition One: He ordered the machine guns to be manned as a precaution.
• Attempted to Cease Fire: He attempted to cease fire when he saw what he thought was an Israeli flag, although the order was not fully communicated due to destroyed communications.

McGonagle’s leadership and actions were crucial in the crew’s efforts to save the ship and their shipmates.

30. What Was The Fate Of The USS Liberty After The Attack?

After the attack, the USS Liberty was heavily damaged but remained afloat. The ship was eventually towed to Malta for initial repairs.

30.1. Repairs and Decommissioning

Following temporary repairs in Malta, the USS Liberty was towed back to the United States. The ship was decommissioned and eventually sold for scrap.

30.2. Legacy

Despite its relatively short service life, the USS Liberty holds a significant place in naval history, remembered for the tragic events of June 8, 1967, and the heroism of its crew.

The attack on the USS Liberty remains a complex and controversial event, with varying perspectives and interpretations. The incident underscores the importance of clear communication, accurate identification, and accountability in military operations.

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FAQ: Understanding the USS Liberty Incident

1. What was the USS Liberty’s mission during the Six-Day War?

   The USS Liberty was on a mission to gather intelligence on military activities along the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula.

2. Why was the USS Liberty attacked by Israel?

   The official explanation is that it was a case of mistaken identity. Israeli forces believed the USS Liberty was an Egyptian vessel.

3. What were the communication failures that contributed to the incident?

   Numerous messages re-routing the USS Liberty were misrouted or not received, and critical information was not communicated during watch turnovers.

4. What evidence supports the claim that the attack was deliberate?

   Some point to the aggressive nature of the attack and the targeting of the intelligence compartment as evidence of a deliberate attack.

5. How did the media cover the USS Liberty incident?

   Initial media coverage relied on official statements, but later investigations explored conspiracy theories and raised questions about the official explanations.

6. What lessons were learned from the USS Liberty incident?

   Key lessons include the importance of clear communication, accurate identification, and the need for transparency and accountability.

7. How has the USS Liberty incident been memorialized?

   Memorials have been erected, books and documentaries have been produced, and annual commemorations are held to remember the incident.

8. What were the Israeli claims about Egyptian subterfuge during the Six-Day War?

   Israeli forces claimed that Egyptian ships sometimes used Arabic script for names and numbers to disguise their identity.

9. What were the U.S. assurances about ships near the combat zone?

   The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations assured that no U.S. ships were operating within 100 miles of the combat zone, which was untrue for the USS Liberty.

10. What was the fate of the USS Liberty after the attack?

    The USS Liberty was heavily damaged, towed to Malta for initial repairs, and eventually decommissioned and sold for scrap.