I read the text and my question remains.^^^^^^^ Read the post and get back with me Poindexter
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I read the text and my question remains.^^^^^^^ Read the post and get back with me Poindexter
(COMMENT)You are normally a well informed and seemingly unbiased poster so I will treat this as a hole in your knowledge which I will fill with one small fact. By June 8th, the day of the attack, Israel had effectively won the war. Egypt's armed forces were in total retreat. Why then would Israel deem America's involvement necessary considering the risk involved in attacking a US ship?
(COMMENT)There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?
Whether it's a conventional or nuclear explosion.I read the text and my question remains.^^^^^^^ Read the post and get back with me Poindexter
Hell, I'm not a scientist. I'm a Republican.Whether it's a conventional or nuclear explosion.I read the text and my question remains.^^^^^^^ Read the post and get back with me Poindexter
There will be residue left that is basically like a finger print.
And can be forensically analyzed to determine when and where the material was manufactured.
I am also a Republican; so that's no excuse.Hell, I'm not a scientist. I'm a Republican.Whether it's a conventional or nuclear explosion.I read the text and my question remains.
There will be residue left that is basically like a finger print.
And can be forensically analyzed to determine when and where the material was manufactured.
SAYIT, et al,
(COMMENT)You are normally a well informed and seemingly unbiased poster so I will treat this as a hole in your knowledge which I will fill with one small fact. By June 8th, the day of the attack, Israel had effectively won the war. Egypt's armed forces were in total retreat. Why then would Israel deem America's involvement necessary considering the risk involved in attacking a US ship?
As the theory goes, not everyone understood that (on June 8th) that the war was effectively won. The outcome was not assured that day, as it is today with the benefit of hind sight. Some people still thought the Israelis could still lose the war. They did not understand the logistical limitation that both sides were experiencing at the time. It was not sure what the Arab Forces were intending to do. They may have been making a tactical withdraw to regrouping for a counter attack, or what.
The Israelis where not looking for the US to tactically engage enemy forces. They just wanted a regional footprint of US tactical air forces in the region, of the type that could drop a tactical nuclear device. They wanted the US tactical air to be seen in the area, not their help.
That way, if it became necessary to drop a nuclear device, not only would the forensic evidence of the device leave an American signature (called MASINT analysis today), but that US Air had been seen in the Area. (Plausible denial and confusion.)
Most Respectfully,
R
SAYIT, et al,
(COMMENT)You are normally a well informed and seemingly unbiased poster so I will treat this as a hole in your knowledge which I will fill with one small fact. By June 8th, the day of the attack, Israel had effectively won the war. Egypt's armed forces were in total retreat. Why then would Israel deem America's involvement necessary considering the risk involved in attacking a US ship?
As the theory goes, not everyone understood that (on June 8th) that the war was effectively won. The outcome was not assured that day, as it is today with the benefit of hind sight. Some people still thought the Israelis could still lose the war. They did not understand the logistical limitation that both sides were experiencing at the time. It was not sure what the Arab Forces were intending to do. They may have been making a tactical withdraw to regrouping for a counter attack, or what.
The Israelis where not looking for the US to tactically engage enemy forces. They just wanted a regional footprint of US tactical air forces in the region, of the type that could drop a tactical nuclear device. They wanted the US tactical air to be seen in the area, not their help.
That way, if it became necessary to drop a nuclear device, not only would the forensic evidence of the device leave an American signature (called MASINT analysis today), but that US Air had been seen in the Area. (Plausible denial and confusion.)
(COMMENT)There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?
There is no one source, that I know of for this "Hollywood" type interpretation (people simply couldn't make this shit up) of the facts. But most of the facts can be individually confirmed to an extent. Obviously, the US government is not going to acknowledge that the Israelis grabbed 200 pound of enriched uranium. But the incident did occur.
- Marcoule Nuclear Site Marcoule site - AREVA
- Atoms for Peace Program Atoms for Peace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Israeli Research Reactor at Soreq About Us
- Apollo Affair Zalman Shapiro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Nuclear Weapons test in Algeria (Sahara Desert) Israel's Nuclear Weapons
- EL-102 Reactor in Dimona Nuclear weapons and Israel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Israeli Nuclear Weapons and Research Program Israeli Nuclear Threats and Blackmail
These are but a few articles on a variety of aspects I mentioned. All of them are biased in one direction or another. None of them are linked together; the are merely starter examples. One of the more comprehensive of the examples is the The Counterproliferation Paper by Warner D. Farr, LTC, U.S. Army, The Third Temple's Holy of Holies:
Israel's Nuclear Weapons. Very Interesting.
Note, there are several other links on each of these events I have mentioned. I have given but one link. And each offers something different. Please don't read anything into the fact that I only offer one specific link. You can search the key name and find alternatives.
I am not trying to slant anyone's opion, one way or the other, but merely offer another perspective and show how there is a series of linked events that might seem otherwise, independent of one another. The times were heady, and there were many events occurring simultaneously that affected the mind set of the day. You cannot compare the events of yester year using todays hindsight in the same way that these events were unfolding.
Most Respectfully,
R
"All of our intelligence people are unanimous that if the UAR attacks, you will whip hell out of them", Johnson told Eban during a visit to the White House on May 26.[119][120][121] This assertion was made in accordance with a CIA assessment that Israel could defend successfully against simultaneous Arab attacks on all fronts... or hold on any three fronts while mounting successfully a major offensive on the fourth."
James Reston, writing in The New York Times on May 23, 1967, noted, "In discipline, training, morale, equipment and general competence his [Nasser's] army and the other Arab forces, without the direct assistance of the Soviet Union, are no match for the Israelis.... Even with 50,000 troops and the best of his generals and air force in Yemen, he has not been able to work his way in that small and primitive country, and even his effort to help the Congo rebels was a flop."[84]
Or you're practicing your backstroke in da Nile:"On February 17, Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the Hiroshima memorial for the victims of the first atomic bomb used on people in human history. Barak, who according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo described the bombing of the city as 'one of the unavoidable tragedies' of World War II, viewed the exhibits.Israel's alleged nukes are only a threat to those who would attack Israel.
That is assuming Israel even has nukes.
"His escorts drew his attention to a map of the world listing the number of nuclear warheads in the possession of the atomic powers. There is a number next to Israel's name, too: "80."
"Barak did not respond."
Proving absolutely nothing. You and the Arab World are still just guessing.
Amen!!!Or you're practicing your backstroke in da Nile:"On February 17, Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the Hiroshima memorial for the victims of the first atomic bomb used on people in human history. Barak, who according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo described the bombing of the city as 'one of the unavoidable tragedies' of World War II, viewed the exhibits.
"His escorts drew his attention to a map of the world listing the number of nuclear warheads in the possession of the atomic powers. There is a number next to Israel's name, too: "80."
"Barak did not respond."
Proving absolutely nothing. You and the Arab World are still just guessing.
"Der Spiegel reports that after extensive research they've unearthed proof not only of Israel's nuclear weapons, but that it's deployed them aboard its fleet of new German-built submarines.
"From Der Spiegel:
"Germany is helping Israel to develop its military nuclear capabilities, SPIEGEL has learned. According to extensive research carried out by the magazine, Israel is equipping submarines that were built in the northern German city of Kiel and largely paid for by the German government with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
"The missiles can be launched using a previously secret hydraulic ejection system. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told SPIEGEL that Germans should be 'proud' that they have secured the existence of the state of Israel 'for many years.'"
Aren't you proud?
Israel Has Deployed Nuclear Weapons On Its New German Built Submarines - Business Insider
"The Apollo Affair was a 1965 incident in which a US company, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC), in Apollo and Parks Township, Pennsylvania was investigated for losing 200-600 pounds of highly enriched uranium.irosie91, et al,
You may be close, but not that early.
(COMMENT)Israel has had nukes for 50 years and never used either the nukes or radioactive materials in war-----(disclaimer -----I am just guessing)
The Israeli Nuclear Program has it roots that stretch back to before the country was formed. And after WWII, many believe that the French had help from scientist (from the newly formed Israel) in the construction of the G-1 reactor and UP-1 plant (one for plutonium production and one for reprocessing) at Marcoule Nuclear Site (South-Central France). In the early 1950's, the Israeli scientist had found low grade Uranium near Beersheba, (North of Dimona in the Negev Desert). Additionally, America, under the Atoms for Peace program, gave Heavy Water for the Israeli research reactor at Soreq (15km West of Jerusalem). In 1958, the French secretly began to build an El-102 Reactor in Dimona for the Israelis.
In 1960, the French and Israelis conduct a joint above ground nuclear weapons test in Algeria (Sahara Desert). Then, sometime between 1962 and 1965, 200 pounds of highly enriched uranium disappeared from the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation fuel rod fabrication plant in Apollo, PA. In Intelligence & Security circles it is known as the "Apollo Affair;" and it was commonly believed it went to Israel.
It is believed that the Israelis had a working Nuclear Weapon (one, possibly two) (non-production models) at the outset of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War; built with US enriched uranium. And thus, the reason for the USS Liberty (Navy Technical Research - Intelligence Ship) off the coast. The US was concerned that the Israelis might actually use the weapon.
After the '67 War, Moshe Dayan, approves the formal production program and the Israeli Nuclear Weapons and Research Program goes into a highly accelerated mode.
Most Respectfully,
R
There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?
"The Apollo Affair was a 1965 incident in which a US company, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC), in Apollo and Parks Township, Pennsylvania was investigated for losing 200-600 pounds of highly enriched uranium.irosie91, et al,
You may be close, but not that early.
(COMMENT)
The Israeli Nuclear Program has it roots that stretch back to before the country was formed. And after WWII, many believe that the French had help from scientist (from the newly formed Israel) in the construction of the G-1 reactor and UP-1 plant (one for plutonium production and one for reprocessing) at Marcoule Nuclear Site (South-Central France). In the early 1950's, the Israeli scientist had found low grade Uranium near Beersheba, (North of Dimona in the Negev Desert). Additionally, America, under the Atoms for Peace program, gave Heavy Water for the Israeli research reactor at Soreq (15km West of Jerusalem). In 1958, the French secretly began to build an El-102 Reactor in Dimona for the Israelis.
In 1960, the French and Israelis conduct a joint above ground nuclear weapons test in Algeria (Sahara Desert). Then, sometime between 1962 and 1965, 200 pounds of highly enriched uranium disappeared from the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation fuel rod fabrication plant in Apollo, PA. In Intelligence & Security circles it is known as the "Apollo Affair;" and it was commonly believed it went to Israel.
It is believed that the Israelis had a working Nuclear Weapon (one, possibly two) (non-production models) at the outset of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War; built with US enriched uranium. And thus, the reason for the USS Liberty (Navy Technical Research - Intelligence Ship) off the coast. The US was concerned that the Israelis might actually use the weapon.
After the '67 War, Moshe Dayan, approves the formal production program and the Israeli Nuclear Weapons and Research Program goes into a highly accelerated mode.
Most Respectfully,
R
There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?
"In 1965, the FBI investigated Zalman Shapiro, the company's president, over the loss 200 pounds of highly enriched uranium. After investigations by the Atomic Energy Commission, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other government agencies, and inquiring reporters, no charges were ever filed.
"A General Accounting Office study of the investigations declassified in May 2010 stated 'We believe a timely, concerted effort on the part of these three agencies would have greatly aided and possibly solved the NUMEC diversion questions, if they desired to do so.'[1]
"Some remain convinced that Israel received 200 pounds of enriched uranium from NUMEC,[2][3] particularly given the visit of Rafael Eitan, later revealed as an Israeli spy and who was later involved in the Jonathan Pollard incident.[4]
"In June 1986, analyst Anthony Cordesman told United Press International:
"'There is no conceivable reason for Eitan to have gone [to the Apollo plant] but for the nuclear material.'
The Apollo Affair - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Or you're practicing your backstroke in da Nile:"On February 17, Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the Hiroshima memorial for the victims of the first atomic bomb used on people in human history. Barak, who according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo described the bombing of the city as 'one of the unavoidable tragedies' of World War II, viewed the exhibits.
"His escorts drew his attention to a map of the world listing the number of nuclear warheads in the possession of the atomic powers. There is a number next to Israel's name, too: "80."
"Barak did not respond."
Proving absolutely nothing. You and the Arab World are still just guessing.
"Der Spiegel reports that after extensive research they've unearthed proof not only of Israel's nuclear weapons, but that it's deployed them aboard its fleet of new German-built submarines.
"From Der Spiegel:
"Germany is helping Israel to develop its military nuclear capabilities, SPIEGEL has learned. According to extensive research carried out by the magazine, Israel is equipping submarines that were built in the northern German city of Kiel and largely paid for by the German government with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
"The missiles can be launched using a previously secret hydraulic ejection system. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told SPIEGEL that Germans should be 'proud' that they have secured the existence of the state of Israel 'for many years.'"
Aren't you proud?
Israel Has Deployed Nuclear Weapons On Its New German Built Submarines - Business Insider
(COMMENT)The outcome of the war was never in doubt.
In 1973, the Labor government, drunk on the spectacular success of the Six Day War, ignored the signs of danger and were caught by surprise by the Egyptian attack, and for a few days there were widespread fears among the Americans, Egyptians and Russians that Israel might resort to nukes, but in 1967, even before the war began, no one in Israel or the US was thinking about Israel using nukes in the war.
Undefined said:"All of our intelligence people are unanimous that if the UAR attacks, you will whip hell out of them", Johnson told Eban during a visit to the White House on May 26.[119][120][121] This assertion was made in accordance with a CIA assessment that Israel could defend successfully against simultaneous Arab attacks on all fronts... or hold on any three fronts while mounting successfully a major offensive on the fourth."
Senator Adlai Stevenson III in 1980, his last year as a United States Senator from Illinois, invited Jim Ennes to his Senate office for a private, two hour meeting to discuss the USS Liberty attack and coverup. Following the private meeting, Ennes was invited back the next day to discuss the attack with members of Stevenson's staff, along with members of the staff of Senator Barry Goldwater and members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
In that meeting, staff members told Ennes that they found his story convincing, but that they would recommend to both senators that they not pursue an investigation because an investigation would only antagonize Israeli interests while "nothing good could come of it." Goldwater accepted that staff recommendation. Stevenson did not. Instead, Stevenson called a news conference in which he announced that he was convinced that the attack was deliberate and that the survivors deserved an investigation. He would, he said, spend the remaining few weeks of his Senate term attempting to arrange for an inquiry.
Almost immediately, the government of Israel contacted the White House and offered to settle the outstanding $40million damage claims for $6million an amount equal to one dollar for each Jewish victim of the Holocaust. Vice President Walter Mondale quickly agreed to that offer just before Christmas while Congress and President Carter were on vacation. The Department of State followed immediately with a press release, reported on the front page of the New York Times, which announced, "The book is now closed on the USS Liberty."
SOURCE: USS Liberty - Israeli Pilot Speaks Up
Dean Rusk said:"We also lost 34 American lives when, on June 8, the fourth day of the war, the U.S. communications ship Liberty came under air and naval attack. We were meeting with President Johnson in the White House situation room, considering the implications had the Soviets or Egyptians attacked the ship, when we received word from Tel Aviv that Israeli forces were responsible. That didn't please us, although an Israeli attack on Liberty was far easier to deal with. But I was never satisfied with the Israeli explanation. Their sustained attack to disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident or some trigger-happy local commander. Through diplomatic channels we refused to accept their explanations. I didn't believe them then, and I don't believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous."
Rusk's memoirs: "As I Saw It" (W.W.Norton, 1990) p388
I have never believed that the attack on the USS Liberty was a case of mistaken identity. That is ridiculous. I have flown over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thousands of hours, searching for ships and identifying all types of ships at sea. The Liberty was the ugliest, strangest looking ship in the U.S. Navy. As a communications intelligence ship, it was sprouting every kind of antenna. It looked like a lobster with all those projections moving every which way.
Israel knew perfectly well that the ship was American. After all, the Liberty's American flag and markings were in full view in perfect visibility for the Israeli aircraft that overflew the ship eight times over a period of nearly eight hours prior to the attack. I am confident that Israel knew the Liberty could intercept radio messages from all parties and potential parties to the ongoing war, then in its fourth day, and that Israel was preparing to seize the Golan Heights from Syria despite President Johnson's known opposition to such a move. I think they realized that if we learned in advance of their plan, there would be a tremendous amount of negotiating between Tel Aviv and Washington.
And I believe Moshe Dayan concluded that he could prevent Washington from becoming aware of what Israel was up to by destroying the primary source of acquiring that information the USS Liberty. The result was a wanton sneak attack that left 34 American sailors dead and 171 seriously injured. What is so chilling and cold-blooded, of course, is that they could kill as many Americans as they did in confidence that Washington would cooperate in quelling any public outcry.
SOURCE: Israel's Attack On The USS Liberty
So you seem incapable of providing any "it is not believed" Israel possesses nuclear weapons evidence at all."The Apollo Affair was a 1965 incident in which a US company, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC), in Apollo and Parks Township, Pennsylvania was investigated for losing 200-600 pounds of highly enriched uranium.There's a lot of "it is believed" stuff in your post, Rocco. Do you at least have a source for it?
"In 1965, the FBI investigated Zalman Shapiro, the company's president, over the loss 200 pounds of highly enriched uranium. After investigations by the Atomic Energy Commission, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, other government agencies, and inquiring reporters, no charges were ever filed.
"A General Accounting Office study of the investigations declassified in May 2010 stated 'We believe a timely, concerted effort on the part of these three agencies would have greatly aided and possibly solved the NUMEC diversion questions, if they desired to do so.'[1]
"Some remain convinced that Israel received 200 pounds of enriched uranium from NUMEC,[2][3] particularly given the visit of Rafael Eitan, later revealed as an Israeli spy and who was later involved in the Jonathan Pollard incident.[4]
"In June 1986, analyst Anthony Cordesman told United Press International:
"'There is no conceivable reason for Eitan to have gone [to the Apollo plant] but for the nuclear material.'
The Apollo Affair - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Still more "it is believed." So what?
(COMMENT)Still more "it is believed." So what?
toomuchtime__, et al,
It is nearly always the case that, before a conflict, the leadership boasts of certain victory. (Even the Arabs thought they would win before the war started.) And it is nearly always the case that the victors claim the outcome vindicates their previous boasts.
(COMMENT)The outcome of the war was never in doubt.
In 1973, the Labor government, drunk on the spectacular success of the Six Day War, ignored the signs of danger and were caught by surprise by the Egyptian attack, and for a few days there were widespread fears among the Americans, Egyptians and Russians that Israel might resort to nukes, but in 1967, even before the war began, no one in Israel or the US was thinking about Israel using nukes in the war.
Yes, many a defeated army said similar things.
Undefined said:"All of our intelligence people are unanimous that if the UAR attacks, you will whip hell out of them", Johnson told Eban during a visit to the White House on May 26.[119][120][121] This assertion was made in accordance with a CIA assessment that Israel could defend successfully against simultaneous Arab attacks on all fronts... or hold on any three fronts while mounting successfully a major offensive on the fourth."
I can count the number of times on one hand that the CIA made a correct prediction on the progress and of the outcome of a "war."
Your opinion is an overwhelming held opinion, and your interpretation of the events is a overwhelmingly held interpretation; especially for the period. And it is generally held that everyone told the truth, as they saw it.
I respect that opinion.
It is the perfect logic to defend the attack by the Israelis. It would convince me.
Then, I'm not the only one:
Dean Rusk said:"We also lost 34 American lives when, on June 8, the fourth day of the war, the U.S. communications ship Liberty came under air and naval attack. We were meeting with President Johnson in the White House situation room, considering the implications had the Soviets or Egyptians attacked the ship, when we received word from Tel Aviv that Israeli forces were responsible. That didn't please us, although an Israeli attack on Liberty was far easier to deal with. But I was never satisfied with the Israeli explanation. Their sustained attack to disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident or some trigger-happy local commander. Through diplomatic channels we refused to accept their explanations. I didn't believe them then, and I don't believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous."
Rusk's memoirs: "As I Saw It" (W.W.Norton, 1990) p388
I have never believed that the attack on the USS Liberty was a case of mistaken identity. That is ridiculous. I have flown over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thousands of hours, searching for ships and identifying all types of ships at sea. The Liberty was the ugliest, strangest looking ship in the U.S. Navy. As a communications intelligence ship, it was sprouting every kind of antenna. It looked like a lobster with all those projections moving every which way.
Israel knew perfectly well that the ship was American. After all, the Liberty's American flag and markings were in full view in perfect visibility for the Israeli aircraft that overflew the ship eight times over a period of nearly eight hours prior to the attack. I am confident that Israel knew the Liberty could intercept radio messages from all parties and potential parties to the ongoing war, then in its fourth day, and that Israel was preparing to seize the Golan Heights from Syria despite President Johnson's known opposition to such a move. I think they realized that if we learned in advance of their plan, there would be a tremendous amount of negotiating between Tel Aviv and Washington.
And I believe Moshe Dayan concluded that he could prevent Washington from becoming aware of what Israel was up to by destroying the primary source of acquiring that information the USS Liberty. The result was a wanton sneak attack that left 34 American sailors dead and 171 seriously injured. What is so chilling and cold-blooded, of course, is that they could kill as many Americans as they did in confidence that Washington would cooperate in quelling any public outcry.
SOURCE: Israel's Attack On The USS Liberty
I conclude my comments and thoughts on the subject.
Most Respectfully,
R
toomuchtime__, et al,
It is nearly always the case that, before a conflict, the leadership boasts of certain victory. (Even the Arabs thought they would win before the war started.) And it is nearly always the case that the victors claim the outcome vindicates their previous boasts.
(COMMENT)The outcome of the war was never in doubt.
In 1973, the Labor government, drunk on the spectacular success of the Six Day War, ignored the signs of danger and were caught by surprise by the Egyptian attack, and for a few days there were widespread fears among the Americans, Egyptians and Russians that Israel might resort to nukes, but in 1967, even before the war began, no one in Israel or the US was thinking about Israel using nukes in the war.
Yes, many a defeated army said similar things.
Undefined said:"All of our intelligence people are unanimous that if the UAR attacks, you will whip hell out of them", Johnson told Eban during a visit to the White House on May 26.[119][120][121] This assertion was made in accordance with a CIA assessment that Israel could “defend successfully against simultaneous Arab attacks on all fronts... or hold on any three fronts while mounting successfully a major offensive on the fourth."
I can count the number of times on one hand that the CIA made a correct prediction on the progress and of the outcome of a "war."
Your opinion is an overwhelming held opinion, and your interpretation of the events is a overwhelmingly held interpretation; especially for the period. And it is generally held that everyone told the truth, as they saw it.
I respect that opinion.
It is the perfect logic to defend the attack by the Israelis. It would convince me.
Then, I'm not the only one:
Dean Rusk said:"We also lost 34 American lives when, on June 8, the fourth day of the war, the U.S. communications ship Liberty came under air and naval attack. We were meeting with President Johnson in the White House situation room, considering the implications had the Soviets or Egyptians attacked the ship, when we received word from Tel Aviv that Israeli forces were responsible. That didn't please us, although an Israeli attack on Liberty was far easier to deal with. But I was never satisfied with the Israeli explanation. Their sustained attack to disable and sink Liberty precluded an assault by accident or some trigger-happy local commander. Through diplomatic channels we refused to accept their explanations. I didn't believe them then, and I don't believe them to this day. The attack was outrageous."
Rusk's memoirs: "As I Saw It" (W.W.Norton, 1990) p388
I have never believed that the attack on the USS Liberty was a case of mistaken identity. That is ridiculous. I have flown over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thousands of hours, searching for ships and identifying all types of ships at sea. The Liberty was the ugliest, strangest looking ship in the U.S. Navy. As a communications intelligence ship, it was sprouting every kind of antenna. It looked like a lobster with all those projections moving every which way.
Israel knew perfectly well that the ship was American. After all, the Liberty's American flag and markings were in full view in perfect visibility for the Israeli aircraft that overflew the ship eight times over a period of nearly eight hours prior to the attack. I am confident that Israel knew the Liberty could intercept radio messages from all parties and potential parties to the ongoing war, then in its fourth day, and that Israel was preparing to seize the Golan Heights from Syria despite President Johnson's known opposition to such a move. I think they realized that if we learned in advance of their plan, there would be a tremendous amount of negotiating between Tel Aviv and Washington.
And I believe Moshe Dayan concluded that he could prevent Washington from becoming aware of what Israel was up to by destroying the primary source of acquiring that information the USS Liberty. The result was a wanton sneak attack that left 34 American sailors dead and 171 seriously injured. What is so chilling and cold-blooded, of course, is that they could kill as many Americans as they did in confidence that Washington would cooperate in quelling any public outcry.
SOURCE: Israel's Attack On The USS Liberty
I conclude my comments and thoughts on the subject.
Most Respectfully,
R
(COMMENT)"Israel started investigating the nuclear field soon after its founding in 1948 and with French support secretly began building a nuclear reactor and reprocessing plant in the late 1950s.
"Israel is alleged to have developed a nuclear weapon in the late 1960s, but it is not publicly confirmed.[dubious discuss]