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Thomas Massie calls for USS Liberty probe, elevating anti-Israel conspiracy theory to House floor

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Republican Rep. Thomas Massie used his final days in Congress to call for an investigation into Israel's 1967 attack on the USS Liberty.
  • Massie amplified a decades-old conspiracy theory that the attack, which killed 34 Americans, was intentional and not a mistake as Israel and US investigations concluded.
  • The incident has become a rallying point for critics of Israel, with Massie suggesting it was either deliberate murder or a false flag operation.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie used his platform on the House floor to advocate for a new investigation into the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty. Massie, who is set to leave Congress, framed the call as a long-overdue recognition of the survivors and victims of the incident. He stated, "It’s my great honor, maybe one of the biggest honors of my lifetime, to stand here on the floor and do something that’s 59 years overdue, to recognize the survivors and those who gave their lives on the USS Liberty."

The attack, which occurred during Israel's Six-Day War, resulted in the deaths of 34 American crew members and injured 171. Israel has since apologized, attributing the attack to a mistaken identity, and paid damages. Multiple U.S. investigations, including one by the CIA, have concluded the incident was an accident.

It’s my great honor, maybe one of the biggest honors of my lifetime, to stand here on the floor and do something that’s 59 years overdue, to recognize the survivors and those who gave their lives on the USS Liberty.

— Thomas MassieDuring his speech on the House floor calling for an investigation into the USS Liberty attack.

However, Massie echoed the views of critics who claim the attack was deliberate. He cited military and intelligence officials who, according to him, doubt the official findings. "None of these distinguished men think this was an accident," Massie asserted. "They think it was intentional murder by the country of Israel, either as a false flag operation or because they simply didn’t want anybody observing what they were doing that day."

The USS Liberty Veterans Association supported Massie's remarks, noting that "NO other member of Congress will even listen to" their story. The incident has increasingly been used by anti-Israel figures, such as Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes, to argue for Israeli misconduct.

None of these distinguished men think this was an accident. They think it was intentional murder by the country of Israel, either as a false flag operation or because they simply didn’t want anybody observing what they were doing that day.

— Thomas MassiePresenting his interpretation of the views of military and intelligence officials regarding the USS Liberty attack.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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