Rep. Massie marks 59th anniversary of Israeli attack on USS Liberty

from the Institute for Public Accuracy

Rep. Thomas Massie made remarks about the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty 59 years ago today, during the 1967 war, including calling for a “long overdue” investigation.

(Rep. Massie remarks)

Bryce Lockwood, a retired U.S. Marine linguist, is among the USS Liberty survivors who met with Massie just before he made his remarks.

Lockwood recently spoke at the National Press Club at an event organized by the Eisenhower Media Network; see petition for a Congressional investigation. 

Sina Toossi is a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy.

He posted this afternoon: “The April ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was never just about ending direct U.S.-Iran hostilities. At least from Tehran’s perspective, it was supposed to produce a broader regional de-escalation: Israel would end its attacks on Lebanon, Iran would ease pressure on ships transiting Hormuz, and negotiations would create a pathway toward a more durable settlement.

“That is not what happened. Israel continued and in many respects intensified its campaign in Lebanon. The U.S. initiated a blockade of Iran and has since increased interdictions of Iranian shipping, all while stepping up efforts to challenge Iran’s Hormuz blockade.” 

Last year, Sina Toossi wrote the article “Israel Is Not an Ally — It’s a Liability” for the American Conservative. 

The New York Times and NBC News report speaking with multiple sources who said that the Defense Intelligence Agency raised the threat posed by Israel to the “critical level.” The Times reports that the targets of Israeli intelligence include President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. 

Eugene media activist and teacher David Zupan works as an independent contractor for IPA. He is also director of the Speakers’ Clearinghouse, which helps progressive policy analysts find speaking engagements at schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.