59 Years Later, Lawmaker Demands Answers on Israel’s Deadly Attack on USS Liberty

Fifty-nine years after Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty in international waters off Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, survivors and researchers continue to question why the incident faced so little official scrutiny, Al Jazeera reported.

On June 8, 1967, Israeli air and naval forces struck the U.S. Navy technical research vessel during the Six-Day War, killing 34 sailors and wounding 171.

Israel maintained the assault was a case of mistaken identity, claiming pilots believed the ship was Egyptian — despite the vessel flying a U.S. flag and having exchanged waves with Israeli aircraft that morning.

Congress never formed a committee to formally investigate the attack.

Former CIA officials and survivors have disputed the misidentification explanation, with some alleging the strike was deliberate. The event remains one of the deadliest attacks ever carried out against the U.S. Navy by an ally.

Rep. Massie Speaks

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) marked the 59th anniversary of the attack by taking the rare step of addressing the USS Liberty on the House floor Monday, with survivors in attendance.

Massie cast doubt on Israel’s mistaken-identity claim, noting Israeli aircraft had surveilled the vessel the day before the assault. “The Israelis were intent on leaving no survivors,” he said.

I will deliver this speech Monday at approximately noon. I’m honored to report that some survivors have already indicated they will attend as my guests in the gallery. If you’re a survivor and would like to attend, please contact my office, or talk with leaders in your group. https://t.co/dne2xiQplg

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 5, 2026

He called on Congress to pass a resolution honoring the victims and open a new investigation, saying survivors deserve closure “while they’re still alive”.

The renewed push comes as a Ninth Circuit court weighs a FOIA lawsuit seeking the release of additional government records related to the attack.

Read more at AlJazeera. 

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