The Weaponization of Historical Memory
CASE A: The Narrative from the Established Right-Wing Bloc The New York Times Politics article notes that a segment of the MAGA movement, primarily influenced by figures like Tucker Carlson and Representative Thomas Massie, now openly attributes the 1967 attack on the USS Liberty to deliberate Israeli action. This framework often portrays the incident as a premeditated assault on an American
vessel, resulting in 34 deaths and 171 injuries, and subsequently covered up by the U.S. government to protect its alliance with Israel. Their focus is on perceived American betrayal and Israeli culpability, aligning with a more nationalist, non-interventionist foreign policy stance. This perspective often cites the statements of surviving crew members and a 1980 National Security Agency (NSA)
report that concluded the attack was "a deliberate effort to sink the Liberty and kill her entire crew." CASE B: The Traditional Pro-Israel Conservative Stance Conversely, the article details the backlash from more traditional pro-Israel conservatives, particularly those associated with outlets like Breitbart News and figures such as Ben Shapiro. This faction staunchly defends the long-standing
U.S. and Israeli government position: that the attack was a tragic case of mistaken identity during the chaos of the 1967 Six-Day War. They emphasize Israel's subsequent apologies, compensation, and ongoing diplomatic efforts. Their framing consistently minimizes Israeli culpability, often portraying criticism as antisemitic or part of a broader anti-Israel agenda, consistent with the foundational