The USS Liberty was an intelligence vessel deployed near Egypt in international waters. At 5:15 am on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft began circling the USS Liberty, with crew members waving to their supposed allies. It was a clear day, and a large US flag was on display, visible for miles.
At about 2:00 pm, Israeli jets began attacking, while jamming international distress frequencies, violating international law. The jets fired rockets and gunfire, then dropped napalm, setting the front half ablaze. After about 20 minutes, Israeli Navy motorboats fired five torpedoes, creating a 39x24 foot hole, nearly sinking the USS Liberty, while also firing at lifeboats preventing survivors from escaping. Theories on motive range from an attempt to prevent US intelligence gathering, to a failed false flag operation to draw the US into the conflict. Under fire, a crew member rigged up communications, notifying the US fleet. Israel stopped attacking and Israeli diplomats told US officials that they had made a “terrible mistake.”
President Johnson received funding from American Zionists and recovered Russian weapons from Israel to help in the Vietnam War. He ignored sworn testimony and settled with Israel, choosing to pay widows $25k and $10k per child over five. The next year, US support for Israel quadrupled.
Communications from Hebrew show an intentional attack:
1:53 pm
Pilot: Is it an American?
Second Pilot: How do you mean an American?
Control Tower: What do you say?
Control Tower: No comment.
2:03 pm
Pilot: Does he screw her or not?
Control Tower: He goes down on her with low napalm.
...
Control Tower: We don't need more aircraft for the attack. Enough.
Pilots & Control Tower: Let's leave something for the Navy to do.
2:11 pm
Pilot: Pay attention. This ship's marking is Charlie, Tango, Romeo 5.
Control Tower: Leave her. Leave her. Leave her.
2:12 pm
Pilot: What state does the ship belong to?
Control Tower: American.
2:35 pm
Pilot: The torpedo is taking care of the ship now.
Control Tower: Did she fire anti aircraft guns?
Pilot: I don't know. She did not have this ammunition. They are pumping her with torpedoes now.