The long-delayed story of the USS Liberty finally has been revealed, by three different filmmakers — all working independently. The one thing that is certain is that, regardless of where you start, the tragic events of June 8, 1967, were inexcusable.

The fact is that this was an extremely high-level and top-secret attempt to exploit an American ship, the USS Liberty, to create a war by falsely implicating the Egyptian government. The purpose was to provide an excuse to attack and discredit Egypt and provide a ready-made excuse for whatever the Israeli government wanted to do.

Only one thing went wrong with this Machiavellian and unbelievably blatant attempt to change history on behalf of Israel. That problem was that the Liberty, an American spy ship sent to monitor the Middle East war, turned out to be unsinkable. Thus the diabolic attack failed in its purpose — and left surviving witnesses. It was then that the 35-year cover-up began. In retrospect, it is difficult to decide which is worse: Was it the betrayal of an entire American ship’s crew, of whom 34 members were killed, and 271 wounded? Or has it been the astonishing ingenuity of the cover-up devised by the Israeli government and some high-level Americans, who have lied, dissembled and simply manufactured evidence to suit every new revelation.

Now, however, the facts are irrevocably proven. The first of the three new films, “Coverup: Attack on the USS Liberty,” was produced by The History Channel. The Israel lobby fought to the end to stop that film from being shown, making every possible attempt to delay it, challenge it and attempt to disprove it. The resulting strange amalgam finally saw the light of day Aug. 9, 2001— after its initial air date of Feb. 25 was postponed, with little explanation. It was done quickly and quietly, however, so that almost no one saw the advance program notes. Fortunately, members of the Liberty crew, by word of mouth and e-mail, publicized the event as best they could. Because of popular demand the History Channel announced that it would be re-aired. Once again it became almost impossible to obtain the details. For all who have “missed” the History Channel’s airings, videotapes are available from several sources, including the American Educational Trust Book Club, P.O. Box 53062, Washington, DC 20009.The cost is $25.

Within a year an entirely new film was completed — again, despite extraordinary measures to halt it. The documentary, “Loss of Liberty: Exploration of the 1967 Attack on the USS Liberty” (also available from the AET Book Club for $25), was produced by Tito Howard. It also has overcome many obstacles created by America’s Israel lobby. Already, however, American veterans groups are sending copies all over the United States.

The third film, “Dead in the Water” has just been released by the BBC in London. There again, blatant attempts of intimidation were resorted to. Finally the BBC said bluntly that it would not be blackmailed, regardless of threats of lawsuits or other forms pressure. Although the film has not yet been shown in the United States, presumably it will be available shortly. “Dead in the Water” is a one-hour-long offering. It goes into some detail and presents both sides of the story. The Israeli sources only underline the fact that, when both sides are presented, the result is only more damning. The BBC film is more detailed, with more information that has not been revealed before about a high-level cover up starting at the top, with President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Space is limited, but it is notable that the major villains, if you will, are caught in their own contradictions. We are talking here about the 36th president of the United States and his secretary of defense, Robert McNamara. Johnson said it bluntly - “Israel is our ally” — and made it clear that he would do whatever was required to protect the Jewish state. McNamara insists he does not recall the Liberty incident, and refuses to discuss it. There are others, however, who recall it all too well.

Fortunately, the USS Liberty would not sink. Despite Israeli attempts to completely blackout the ship’s communications, the crew members found a way to send out an SOS and the attack was revealed. It was then that all the stratagems were devised to cover up the entire story.

One of the most disgraceful incidents in naval history ensued when the crippled Liberty, steaming on its own power, finally reached Malta. When the bodies of the 34 US sailors and National Intelligence Agency personnel had been removed, US naval officer Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd addressed the surviving crew members. First Kidd theatrically removed his insignia of rank and said, “Tell me what happened.” After the crew members described the attack, Kidd put his naval stars back on and said, “You must never discuss this again.” He threatened that if any crew members even spoke of the matter to other crew members, they would be sent to the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth.

All members of the crew then were dispersed to different duty stations. No two Liberty crew members ever served together again. Only later did the survivors resume contact. Only then did the true story of the Liberty begin to surface. Today, finally, virtually all the pieces of the puzzle have been put together. Although, to this day, members of the National Security Agency (NSA) are not allowed to discuss the subject, all of the Liberty crew members and many NSA personnel have found ways to make the truth known.

In 1979, Lt. Com. James Ennes, Jr., a member of the Liberty crew, wrote the first book on the subject,” Assault on the Liberty: The True Story of the Israeli Attack on an American Intelligence Ship.” The book was a bestseller and has been reprinted many times. Another book which began as a Ph.D. thesis also has been widely acclaimed for its accuracy, and a British book also was published shortly afterward. By that time, however, the cover-up had begun in earnest. The Ennes book can be found listed in almost any library card catalog. Unfortunately, virtually every copy has been stolen off the shelves from coast to coast. American Zionists have made it a cause celebre to steal the book each time it is reprinted. If you don’t believe it, go to your local library and see if you can find a copy.

Now, however, there are other ways to reveal the truth. With three different films, all of them truthful, it is going to be tough sledding for those working so hard to hide the facts from the American people. When the truth reaches critical mass, it will no longer be possible to suppress. After 35 years, it’s high time that the truth about the USS Liberty be told.