The Attack on the Liberty: The Untold Story of Israel's Deadly 1967 Assault on A U.S. Spy Ship

by James M. Scott

Attack on the Liberty, The: The Untold Story of Israel's Deadly 1 by Scott, James. 8vo.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Middle East, Military Fiction, Israel, Politics, Military History

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Ernest Spoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If any other nation besides Israel would have carried out this unprovoked attack, any US president would be justified in ordering a retaliatory strike. But since it was Israel the reasons for the unprovoked attack remain known only to the members of the IDF air force and navy, who executed the actual attack, and the executive level officers who ordered it.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every American.

This book is a very even-handed presentation of the acts of war committed by the State of Israel against the United States.

The covered-up events that transpired have gone down the collective memory-hole but a simple reading of the facts exposes Israel's duplicity.

Nowadays, most people in the US considers Israel an "ally" or a "friend" of the US though they can not really point to any specific examples.

The USS Liberty is a clear example of why Israel is NOT a friend of the US.

[PETER GOODCHILD · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like an Agatha Christie novel with the last few pages ripped out. The author belabors the obvious but largely evades the major clues needed to solve the mystery. In June 1967 the US spy ship Liberty was sitting in international waters, breaking no laws. On June 8 it was attacked by Israeli airplanes and boats: 34 Americans were killed and 171 wounded. The attack was not entirely successful: the ship would not sink. The Israelis called off the attack and claimed the whole thing had been a case of mistaken identity. Yet the American flag on the ship was clearly visible, as were her markings. US President Lyndon B. Johnson did virtually nothing, although an attack by anyone other than Israelis would have meant a state of war with the US. The author has doubts about the Israeli claims, but here his story trails off into nothing.

What is missing from the book, or understated, is the following. Shortly after the attack on the Liberty, Israel launched the Six-Day War, gaining the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights. The Israeli victory was overwhelming. The Israelis claimed that the Arabs had started the war, and that the Israelis were the victims. Why was the Liberty attacked? There is only one hypothesis that even remotely answers the questions. The Liberty was capable of monitoring Israeli communications. That in turn meant that the men on the Liberty would have solid evidence that the Israelis had launched a pre-emptive strike, that they had started the war. A further result would have been less sympathetic responses to Israel's actions. But Johnson said nothing: he was afraid to criticize the Israelis and their American coreligionists, for several reasons, but mainly because he wanted their support for his hopeless war in Vietnam.

Save your money and get a copy of James Ennes' book, ,The Assault on the Liberty.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a few months before the North Korean capture of the US spy ship Pueblo, the Israelies the spy ship USS Liberty killing and wounding over a hundred Americans. They claim that it was a mistake but the US government never investigates scuttling the ship to prevent media coverage. A vast coverup ensues.

[Peter Corrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the son of a Liberty survivor this is a superb account of the infamous Israeli attack on the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967. He recounts the events in a very complete and methodical way and does not spare the obscene details of the wounds and slaughter inflicted. It was a 'war crime' plain and simple, planned and carried out with full knowledge of the attackers as to the identity of the ship. The utterly specious argument made by the Israeli government that is was an 'accident' are completely belied by the mass of evidence to the contrary presented in this book (and most of it was known at the time). Only Americans with other political agendas were willing to turn a blind eye to the evidence, starting with the farcical U.S. Naval Inquiry Board which was only surpassed by the Israeli 'investigations' in their efforts to avoid any attempt to discover the truth. All this is laid out in the book very clearly. So the ultimate question of how high up in the IDF chain of command the decision to attack was made was made remains a complete mystery and sadly I am not sure we know anymore today (or when this book was written in 2009). If you need a another example of how profoundly the US government is willing to lie for the sake of perceived political advantage this book would serve very well. As for the Israelis, they have yet to come clean with the truth 55 years later and probably never will, but theories abound as they will in a vacuum. The book is also missing a single map, which is not a huge deal but kind of a ridiculous omission.

[Steve Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1967, the U.S. Navy vessel Liberty was attacked by Israel. James Scott, the son of one of the ship's officers, offers a detailed account of the event and the investigation that followed. A compelling read into a tragedy between allies. Well written.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely worth the read. I couldn't put it down. A story of treachery, heroism, and resilience, and about how justice for those who served can be overlooked when politics comes into play.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

On June 8, 1967, as the Six-Day War raged, the U.S. Navy backed all its ships off Israel’s coast except for the Liberty, which was 12 miles offshore in international waters. Israeli forces asked the ship to identify itself; the Liberty asked that Israeli forces identify themselves first. Then Israeli torpedo boats and jets attacked the Liberty for a full hour, shooting more than 800 bullets through its hull, blasting a hole in its side with a torpedo, killing 34 sailors and wounding 171. After providing a suspenseful, moment-by-moment portrayal of the siege, gleaned from interviews with survivors, Scott addresses the question of exactly why the assault happened, which is still a matter of dispute. The Israeli government claimed that the brutal attack was simply a tragic mistake; Israeli forces did not see the ship’s American markings and suspected it was Egyptian. After a weeklong Navy investigation, the U.S. government accepted that explanation, though many officials, including Secretary of State Dean Rusk, had doubts. Some suspected that the Israelis knew full well that that the ship was American, but attacked it anyway for unauthorized spying on sensitive communications. Even President Lyndon Johnson confided to a Newsweek reporter that he believed the attack was intentional. Scott makes a strong circumstantial case for this argument, though hard evidence remains elusive and the true story may never be known. The most powerful passages deal with the human cost of the attack—the casualties and the psychological toll on the survivors. The moving closing scene depicts a meeting between the author’s father and one of the Israeli pilots involved in the attack.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three of the deadliest attacks on the US Navy by foreign powers since WW2 not in active war situations are worth a greater look - the attack on the USS Stark, attack on the USS Cole, and attack on the USS Liberty. Each has their own circumstance that make them worthy of study, but the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty is unique among the three because the USS Liberty was attacked by a US ally, Israel.
Noted historian James Scott's book provides the context for the role of the USS Liberty and what brought it to international waters off the coast of Egypt in 1967 in the midst of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Scott describes the multiple attacks by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats on that day that led to the deaths of 34 Americans and the wounding of more than 100 Americans. Scott describes the efforts of the Liberty to defend herself and remain afloat despite suffering multiple cannon and rockets hits and one torpedo hit.
Scott then discusses the diplomatic maneuvering and wrangling that followed. The preponderance of evidence points to Israel deliberately attacking a US Navy ship, but domestic political considerations in the midst of the Vietnam War led the US and Israel to downplay the incident and label it as an accidental attack.
This book likely means something more for Scott as his father served on the Liberty and survived the attack.
This well written book provides an account of the attack and the political and diplomatic maneuvering that downplayed this very dramatic incident in 1967,

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

really interesting book

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “HEY CHIEF, I’VE GOT REAL ODD ACTIVITY… THEY MENTIONED AN AMERICAN FLAG!”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an intricately detailed… and at times repetitive… narrative of the attack on the United States *SPY-SHIP* U.S.S. Liberty by Israel on June 8, 1967 which resulted in the death of thirty-four Americans and injuries to one-hundred-seventy-one others. The unfurling of this story over forty years later renders many complicated… convoluted… and debatable… political decisions… and justifications… regarding why certain legal avenues were and were not taken in the aftermath. Was this attack by Israel an accident as can easily happen in the “fog” of war? Or was it a deliberate calculated decision? The Liberty was traveling on the false guise of doing research… when in fact… it was a “SPY-SHIP” complete with National Security Agency (NSA) personnel on board with all types of *TOP-SECRET* communication equipment installed below deck. It should also be noted that this attack took place in the midst of Israel’s historic victory in what is now known as *THE-SIX-DAY-WAR*… and in the midst of this war… the Liberty… though in international waters… was “AS CLOSE AS TWELVE AND A HALF MILES OFF EGYPT AND SIX AND A HALF MILES FROM ISRAEL.” This is despite the fact that Chief Of U.S. Naval Operations Admiral David McDonald wrote: “I DON’T KNOW WHY WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS NOW?” “BASED ON McDONALD’S CONCERN, THE NAVY RECOMMENDED THAT THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF ORDER THE LIBERTY TO APPROACH NO CLOSER THAN TWENTY MILES FROM EGYPT AND FIFTEEN MILES FROM ISRAEL.” “THE ADMIRAL SAW NO REASON FOR THE LIBERTY TO OPERATE SO CLOSE TO A WAR ZONE THE POTENTIAL RISKS OUTWEIGHED THE INTELLIGENCE THE UNITED STATES MIGHT GAIN. McDONALD DEMANDED THE SPY SHIP STEAM NO CLOSER THAN ONE HUNDRED MILES FROM SHORE.”

The author (who is the son of a surviving member of the Liberty crew) makes it pretty obvious that due to Israeli reconnaissance flights before the aerial attack… and the follow up torpedo attacks from the Israeli Navy… that this was no accident. The main summarization that the United States declared is “THE LIBERTY’S NAME WAS PAINTED IN ENGLISH CLEARLY ACROSS THE STERN WITH ITS HULL NUMBERS ON THE BOW, A BIG DIFFERENCE FROM EGYPTIAN SHIPS MARKED IN ARABIC. THE AMERICAN FLAG FLEW FROM THE MAST. VISIBILITY WAS EXCELLENT”… AND THE LIBERTY WAS MUCH LARGER THAN AN EGYPTIAN SUPPLY SHIP. The one major shortcoming in this political tale is that these very facts are repeated a minimum of FIFTY-TO-A-HUNDRED-TIMES throughout the book. In the last one-third of the book it’s literally impossible for the reader to ever forget these few facts even for a moment.

The book methodically educates the reader as to the complex repercussions that can be created by singular political decisions. President Lyndon Johnson is embroiled in an unpopular Viet Nam war… if he quickly rules against Israel… the euphoria American Jews are feeling from Israel’s miraculous victory in The Six Day War will be jeopardized. Was it really an Israeli jet? What if it was a Russian jet? What happens if the world finds out that the Liberty wasn’t a research project… but a “Spy-Ship”? What if the Liberty didn’t have its flag up? Did the Liberty really say “Identify yourself first”… when asked to identify themselves? Did the Liberty fire a shot at the Israeli torpedo ship? There was disagreement within the ranks of our State Department… some “BELIEVED THE JEWISH STATE’S SURVIVAL INSTINCT WAS SO STRONG THAT, IF NECESSARY, ISRAEL WOULD ATTACK A CLOSE ALLY IN THE INTEREST OF SELF-PRESERVATION”… others felt “THAT THE ISRAELI’S HAD DELIBERATELY DONE THIS SO THAT WE COULDN’T READ ALL OF THEIR COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. WE ARE THEIR ALLY BUT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TRUST US WHEN IT COMES TO A WARTIME SITUATION IN TERMS OF WHAT INFORMATION MIGHT GET OUT, WHAT WE MIGHT PASS ALONG TO SOMEONE.”

This is a unique look at a critical moment in history… that not only involves brave men in battle… but men put in precarious positions… that aren’t always what they seem… as politico’s in secret meetings… are moving the chess pieces… as their aides decide what the pen of history will actually write.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

One is compelled to give this 5 stars even with a sense that it might have dug a bit deeper into the motives behind the attack. Other authors on the subject have presented credible evidence of a "false flag" attack conceived between Washington and Tel Aviv to create a pretext for the bombing of Egypt. The author could have dealt with these theories, even if only to dismiss them. He does not appear to accept the official version, since he presents us with overwhelming skepticism from authoritative sources, but he doesn't flesh out the opposition to that version among the survivors themselves very much. His own father, for example, was one of the officers aboard the Liberty when it was attacked, but he evidently did not want to comment extensively on his own suspicions. Why not?

This is well researched and even passionate, going into excruciating detail about the deaths and injuries aboard the vessel during the hour or so that it was under attack by the Israelis. The first-hand accounts are harrowing, and maybe that is enough of an impression to create on readers to sway them that justice has still not been served in the matter of this heinous incident. Certain key government figures are left looking particularly odious, especially Robert McNamara. However, I thought Scott gave LBJ the kid-gloves treatment even though he came out of the affair smelling like a sewage treatment plant. Too much benefit of the doubt robs otherwise excellent works of credibility. Still, this is (to use the old cliche) "essential reading" on this tragic episode in US-Israeli relations.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

video book review: https://youtu.be/hemsf_bk5cU

This is an important text that gives us the facts about what happened in 1967 to a US ship. It's written by a son of one of the survivors, so there's a lot of inside information in this text which helps give a coherent narrative to the events.

"These Navy ships sailed under an American conviction, fueled by the nation's post-World War II status as a superpower, that no nation would dare attack a US flagged vessel in international waters." (p. 17)

(quoting Robert Komer) "No one who has an insider's view...could contest the proposition that the US is 100% behind the security and wellbeing of Israel. We are Israel's chief supporters, bankers, direct and indirect arms purveyors, and ultimate guarantors." (p. 30)

(quoting Phil Goulding) "There was nothing accidental about it...It was conducted deliberately — by aircraft and by motor torpedo boat, by rocket and bomb and torpedo and gun fire. Whether it was a tragic mistake in identity is a separate question, but it was no accident." (p. 155)

"The conservative lawmaker suggested that Israel might have hoped that the attack would trigger intervention by the United States and the Soviets or might have served as a signal to keep the superpowers out." (p. 239)

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

On June 8, 1967, an American spy ship, the U.S.S. Liberty, eavesdropped on communications off the coast of Egypt. When Israeli fighter jets and reconnaissance planes flew overhead, the Liberty’s crew assumed that the ship’s identifying markings and American flag would be visible to the pilots in the clear skies above. But after as many as eight passes over a period of nearly nine hours, fighter jets suddenly opened fire. When the air attack ended, Israeli torpedo boats appeared and scored a direct hit. Thirty-four crewmen were killed and 171 injured – two-thirds of the crew. Only heroic efforts saved the ship from sinking. Back in Washington, news of the attack on the Liberty was received with shock and outrage, but political considerations trumped the demands of justice. The affair was whitewashed, and Americans never learned how Israel deliberately attacked the Liberty to keep it secret that they were the first to attack Egypt precipitating the infamous six-day war. Scott – a journalist and the son of a surviving Liberty officer – does an excellent job recounting this all but forgotten tragedy.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book that definitively makes clear that Israel's attack on the U.S.S. Liberty was deliberate and not an accident. Although it fails ultimately to arrive at a reason why the attack happened. There was a definite reason the Israelis attacked the U.S. spy ship, I have my theories, others will tell you they know for a fact why it happened. The author James Scott wisely doesn't express exactly what he believes the answer why is. The Israelis are still not saying why, most of them if they know about it all still believe, or stick to the story, that it was a huge mistake. I hope this book is translated into Hebrew because I don't know how any reasonably intelligent person can read it and come away thinking it wasn't an intentional attack of a U.S. Navy ship in order to sink it and everybody on board.

[Barri R. Schledt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Documented Account

I have known about the Liberty incident for years but I didn’t know enough about the circumstances related to the incident. This book provides in depth coverage of the incident and how the US military and congress dealt with the attack.
I was disappointed to learn that a proper investigation was never held and saddened that politics got in the way of the US government properly acknowledging the suffering of the victims of the attack. Israel’s response to their attack was cold and heartless, especially considering that the US was their biggest backer.
All Americans should be aware of this incident and how Israel responded.

[Len · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1967, a US Navy spy ship, the Liberty, in international waters was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats. Thirty five American sailors lost their lives and many more were critically injured. The Israeli military and their government said it was only an accident and apologized. The US government did not accept their apology and sought a good reason and retribution. The author, James Scott, a freelance journalist , seeks the truth behind these events with good reason. His dad was a surviving member of the Liberty's crew. This is a good account of a critical event in US history that did not receive much attention by the press in its own time.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, well written book that shines a light on an issue many would prefer to keep in the dark: our supposed greatest ally has attacked a US Navy vessel and killed and injured more than a hundred Americans. The gaslighting, victim blaming, and sliminess that followed in the investigation is further evidence that Israel should not be considered our ally in any capacity. It is a tragedy that we continue to support a nation that has nearly sunk one of our ships, offering no true explanation for the attack beyond a veritable shrug of the shoulders, before trying to blame the US for "asking for it."

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little told or known story of an attack on a US Navy ship by Israel in 1967 right after the 6 day war.

Dramatic and chilling description of the attack, the lost lives and those injured. The saving the basically unarmed ship from sinking and the fight to save lives.

A little told story because of its political implications and the fight for accountability.

There are lessons to be learned from this still useful today.

[Dylan Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The work is very well researched, I particularly found the first person accounts of the assault very interesting, however other chapters can become a bit dry at times. I found this account extremely informative and was a great assistance in forming my own opinion on the attack. Unfortunately as the truth has not been fully revealed, the reader is left with only their hypothesis on why the assault was ordered.

[Ronald Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, combined with chapter 7 of James Bamford's Body of Secrets, should be any rational American's key to open a door to looking into our steadfast support for Israel, with all the problems that that brings to the Middle East, and the morality or ethical dimensions of what they do, and what we continue to do even though they do what they do.

[Jerome V. Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailing a naval disaster.

This most engaging book was impossible to put down until I finished it! Israel still has not explained their disaster, and probably never will. Yet we still send this country incredible material and monetary support! Incredible!

[Theodore Raser · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I learned that a United States ship had, in 1967, been attacked by Israel it made no sense to me. This book does a great job of telling the story of the USS Liberty, the men who served on it and how President Johnson’s administration handled the situation.

[Amanda Parsons · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read such padding and waffle in all my days. I would never favour a documentary or movie over the book, in this case I would. You just need to look at who the Presidents inner circle was, enough said.

Plus why funded the Authors education, then who published the book??

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most powerful read that I can’t over recommend. As a Navy Veteran, this book brought back powerful memories from my sea service years around the globe, politics, Vietnam, protests, media inaccuracies, and evil foreign policy decisions.

This quote captured much of my sentiments. “Almost as shocking as the attack itself has been the manner in which Washington-especially the Defense Department-has seemed to try to absolve Israel from any guilt right from the start. Some of these efforts would be laughable but for the terrible tragedy involve. - SHREVEPORT TIMES

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If these are our allies, who needs enemies?

[Cecelia Brennan Femenella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic true story

[Alex Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary read, the death of these men should be avenged

[Stephen Boiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Scott's father served on the USS Liberty during the attack. Many still unanswered questions! Was it sanctioned? If so by whom? Israel knows! We should stop all aid to Israel until they answer.

[Chad Montabon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by the son of one of the ships primary officers. Not a lot of original research, but an event that anyone who believes in accountability should know about.