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Angry Manc | 04.06.2003 01:30
During the Six Day War in June 1967, Israel attacked and nearly sank the USS Liberty, a spy ship belonging to its closest ally, the USA. Thirty-four American servicemen were killed in the two-hour assault by Israeli warplanes and torpedo boats. Israel has always claimed that the whole affair was a tragic accident based on mistaken identification of the ship. The American government publicly accepted the explanation.
During the Six Day War in June 1967, Israel attacked and nearly sank the USS Liberty, a spy ship belonging to its closest ally, the USA. Thirty-four American servicemen were killed in the two-hour assault by Israeli warplanes and torpedo boats. Israel has always claimed that the whole affair was a tragic accident based on mistaken identification of the ship. The American government publicly accepted the explanation.
Yet for thirty-five years, the Liberty survivors have persisted in their view that the attack was intentional: that Israel deliberately attacked their ship, and that the US government knew they had and colluded in a cover-up.
Dead In The Water reveals the truth behind the seemingly inexplicable attack, and for the first time shows how the incident almost led to a US nuclear attack on Egypt, mistakenly held responsible for the assault on the Liberty. It also exposes the secret collaboration between America and Israel before and during the war: a covert alliance that has always been denied by both sides.
The film tells a gripping and chilling story, with new access to crewmen, senior American figures including former US Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and CIA chief Richard Helms, and officers in the US and Israeli intelligence services, giving their version of events for the first time.
Yet for thirty-five years, the Liberty survivors have persisted in their view that the attack was intentional: that Israel deliberately attacked their ship, and that the US government knew they had and colluded in a cover-up.
Dead In The Water reveals the truth behind the seemingly inexplicable attack, and for the first time shows how the incident almost led to a US nuclear attack on Egypt, mistakenly held responsible for the assault on the Liberty. It also exposes the secret collaboration between America and Israel before and during the war: a covert alliance that has always been denied by both sides.
The film tells a gripping and chilling story, with new access to crewmen, senior American figures including former US Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and CIA chief Richard Helms, and officers in the US and Israeli intelligence services, giving their version of events for the first time.
Angry Manc
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angry3manc@hotmail.com
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries
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