US veterans seek DOD war crimes probe of Israeli attack in 1967 Six Day War News
US veterans seek DOD war crimes probe of Israeli attack in 1967 Six Day War

[JURIST] A group of US navy veterans who survived a surprise attack by Israeli forces [US DOD photos] against their vessel during the Six Day War [Wikipedia entry] in 1967 are seeking a Pentagon investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes. Members of the USS Liberty Veterans Association [official website] claim that the unprovoked attack, which occurred in international waters against the spy ship USS Liberty [US Navy ship's profile], was a violation of the Geneva Conventions [text] and that further violations occured when Israeli fighters fired shots at survivors and rescuers. The group's new 35-page report [PDF text], submitted to the Defense Department Wednesday, calls for a in-depth investigation and outlines the violations of war conduct. Earlier investigations by Israel and the US found no intentional wrongdoing on Israel's part but Israel previously apologized and paid $13 million in damages, a portion of which went to families of the 34 killed and 205 wounded in the attack. AP has more.