MAGA Group Now Divided Over Support for Israel

Some people in the MAGA political group used to agree on supporting Israel. Now, they are starting to disagree. This comes as people talk more about the past USS Liberty attack and what is happening in Gaza.
By Newsroom | US Politics, Middle East |

Decades-Old Maritime Incident Becomes a Focal Point in Modern Political Discord

The anniversary of a 1967 naval attack, the USS Liberty incident, has become a stark illustration of growing rifts within the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) political movement. While once unified in their support for Israel, factions within MAGA are now openly debating and disagreeing on the nation's relationship with the Jewish state, particularly in light of recent events in Gaza. The legacy of the USS Liberty attack, an event where Israeli forces targeted an American intelligence-gathering ship, killing 34 U.S. sailors, serves as a recurring symbol in these discussions, raising questions about past events and their impact on present-day alliances.

MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago - 1

Background: The USS Liberty Attack and Its Lingering Questions

On June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, the USS Liberty, an American technical research ship, was attacked by Israeli air and naval forces while operating in international waters off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. The assault, which lasted for several hours, resulted in the deaths of 34 American servicemen and the wounding of 171 others. The ship sustained extensive damage.

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MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago - 2

  • Official Stance: Both the United States and Israeli investigations concluded that the attack was a tragic accident, with Israel mistaking the USS Liberty for an Egyptian freighter.

  • Survivor and Critic Accounts: Survivors of the attack, along with some former U.S. officials, have consistently argued that the assault was deliberate. They suggest Israel's intent may have been to prevent the Liberty from eavesdropping on Israeli military communications, potentially related to Israel's imminent seizure of the Golan Heights from Syria. Some accounts even point to alleged pilot confusion or potential orders to attack despite the ship's identification as American.

  • Information Secrecy: Decades later, questions persist regarding the completeness of the official investigations and the declassification of relevant documents by agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA). Critics contend that a full accounting of the events has been obscured, leading to a "conspiracy of silence."

MAGA's Shifting Allegiances: From Unwavering Support to Open Debate

Historically, the MAGA movement has been characterized by strong, often unquestioning, support for Israel. However, recent developments, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza, have fractured this unified front.

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MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago - 3

  • Pre-Gaza Stance: Prior to the current phase of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the MAGA base largely aligned with a pro-Israel position, viewing the nation as a key strategic ally.

  • The Gaza Factor: The extensive Israeli military campaign in Gaza has led to internal questioning within the MAGA community. Some within the movement have begun to express reservations and criticism regarding the scale and impact of the operations.

  • Platform for Debate: Discussions and disagreements are now surfacing openly on various platforms, including social media (like X), right-wing podcasts, and conservative talk shows, indicating a departure from the previous broad consensus. This shift suggests a willingness to openly debate longstanding foreign policy positions, challenging what was once a bipartisan constant in U.S. foreign policy.

The USS Liberty as a Symbol of Discontent and Distrust

The 1967 attack on the USS Liberty has re-emerged as a potent symbol for some within the MAGA movement, particularly those who feel there has been a lack of transparency or accountability regarding the incident.

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MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago - 4

  • Questions of Deliberation: The narrative that the attack may have been deliberate, rather than accidental, resonates with individuals who are increasingly skeptical of official accounts. This skepticism mirrors broader distrust in government institutions.

  • Analogies to Current Events: The persistent questions surrounding the USS Liberty incident are, for some, being drawn into parallels with current debates about U.S. support for Israel and the conduct of its military operations.

  • Focus on Accountability: The enduring call for answers and full transparency regarding the USS Liberty incident underscores a desire for accountability that is now being applied to contemporary geopolitical issues.

Divergent Perspectives on U.S.-Israel Relations

The internal debates within the MAGA movement highlight distinct viewpoints on the future of U.S.-Israel relations.

FactionCore Stance on IsraelView on Recent Events (Gaza)Relationship to USS Liberty Narrative
"Hawks"Pro-Israel, often advocating for strong U.S. backing.Generally supportive of Israel's actions, seeing them as necessary for security.May view criticism of Israel as undermining an ally, focus on accident narrative.
Skeptical WingIncreasingly questioning the extent and nature of U.S. support.Expressing concern over humanitarian impact, potential "double standards," and military actions.May draw on the USS Liberty incident to question Israeli intentions or U.S. complicity.
"America First"Prioritizes U.S. interests, potentially re-evaluating alliances.Debating the costs and benefits of extensive foreign aid and military involvement.May use the Liberty incident to highlight past conflicts or question U.S. engagement.

Expert Analysis: A Movement in Flux

The observable fragmentation within the MAGA movement regarding Israel suggests a broader ideological evolution and a re-evaluation of long-held foreign policy tenets.

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"The MAGA coalition has always been a complex amalgam of different priorities. While a strong affinity for Israel was a common thread, it wasn't the sole defining characteristic. As the geopolitical landscape shifts and the narratives around conflicts become more contested, it's natural that these underlying tensions within the movement would surface." - Anonymous Political Analyst

This divergence indicates that foreign policy, once a relatively stable issue for the movement, is now a subject of significant internal negotiation. The handling of sensitive historical events, such as the USS Liberty attack, often becomes a proxy for larger debates about national identity, alliances, and the perceived role of the United States on the global stage.

Conclusion: Implications of the MAGA-Israel Schism

The growing split within the MAGA movement over Israel represents a significant development in contemporary American politics. It signifies a move away from a monolithic stance towards a more diverse and contested set of viewpoints on a critical foreign policy issue.

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  • Internal Realignment: The debates suggest an ongoing realignment of priorities and beliefs within the MAGA base, influenced by current events and historical narratives.

  • Policy Repercussions: This internal discord could eventually influence how political leaders within the MAGA sphere approach foreign policy decisions related to the Middle East, potentially leading to more nuanced or varied stances.

  • Broader Political Discourse: The open debate within a prominent political movement compels a wider public discourse on U.S. foreign policy, challenging long-standing assumptions about alliances and international relations. The re-examination of events like the USS Liberty attack underscores a broader trend of scrutinizing past decisions and their ongoing implications.

Sources:

  • The Intercept: Fifty Years Later, NSA Keeps Details of Israel's USS Liberty Attack Secret (September 20, 2019) - https://theintercept.com/2017/06/06/fifty-years-later-nsa-keeps-details-of-israels-uss-liberty-attack-secret/

  • Wikipedia: USS Liberty incident (Updated Regularly) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident

  • Zeteo: A Cover-Up? Survivors of Israel’s Attack on US Ship Still Waiting for Answers 58 Years Later (June 7, 2025) - https://zeteo.com/p/coverup-survivors-israels-attack-on-uss-liberty-answers

  • Wikipedia: USS Liberty (Updated Regularly) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty

  • New York Magazine: MAGA’s Civil War Isn’t Over (June 29, 2025) - https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/magas-deep-divide-over-israel-and-iran.html

  • U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command: The "Six-Day War" and USS Liberty (Accessed June 2025) - https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/middle-east/six-day-war-liberty.html

  • NPR: The MAGA world was on the side of Israel, now it is split over Gaza (August 6, 2025) - https://www.npr.org/2025/08/06/nx-s1-5492440/the-maga-world-was-on-the-side-of-israel-now-it-is-split-over-gaza

  • The Guardian: The cover-up (November 26, 2017) - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/aug/08/israel

  • History.com: Israel attacks USS Liberty | June 8, 1967 | HISTORY (May 28, 2025) - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-8/israel-attacks-uss-liberty

  • Britannica: USS Liberty incident (August 26, 2024) - https://www.britannica.com/event/USS-Liberty-incident

  • EBSCO Research Starters: Israel Attacks the USS Liberty (Accessed June 2025) - https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/israel-attacks-uss-liberty

  • Newsweek: MAGA's Gaza Rift: How the Right Is Splintering Over Israel (August 27, 2025) - https://www.newsweek.com/magas-gaza-rift-how-the-right-splintering-over-israel-opinion-2118754

  • Eurasian Times: Israel "Attacks" U.S. Navy Warship! Recalling When IAF Jets Pounded American Vessel, Killing 34 People (June 13, 2025) - https://www.eurasiantimes.com/when-israel-attacked-the-u-s-recalling-when/

  • Haaretz: 'But sir, it’s an American ship.' 'Never mind, hit her!' When Israel attacked USS Liberty (July 11, 2017) - https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2017-07-11/ty-article/but-sir-its-an-american-ship-never-mind-hit-her/0000017f-e48c-d7b2-a77f-e78f76800000

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the MAGA movement?
MAGA is a political slogan that means 'Make America Great Again.' It is used by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Q: What was the USS Liberty incident?
In 1967, Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty, an American ship, during a war. 34 American sailors died. Israel said it was a mistake, but some people do not believe this.
Q: Why is the USS Liberty incident being talked about now?
Some people in the MAGA movement are using the USS Liberty incident to question why the U.S. supports Israel. They feel there was not enough truth told about what happened.
Q: Is everyone in MAGA disagreeing about Israel?
No, not everyone. Some people in the MAGA movement still strongly support Israel. Others are starting to question this support because of recent events in Gaza and past events like the USS Liberty attack.