Rabbi urges reconsideration of speakers at USS Liberty reunion amid concerns
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach rabbi is calling on organizers of an upcoming USS Liberty reunion to reconsider allowing controversial figures to attend, citing concerns over antisemitism.
Backlash builds over USS Liberty reunion event featuring controversial speaker
The reunion, hosted by the USS Liberty Veterans Association, is scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel from June 6 to June 9, the same dates as Norfolk's Harborfest. The event is held to honor the 34 sailors killed and more than 170 injured when Israeli forces attacked the USS Liberty in 1967.
Controversy came after a flyer began circulating online, listing far-right media figures Stew Peters, Lucas Gage and Jake Shields as speakers. All three have been accused of spreading antisemitic rhetoric.
'A flyer was created by the organizers,' said Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism. 'We simply made a graphic of the existing flyer to raise awareness of the white supremacists event occurring in the Virginia area.'
Rabbi Israel Zoberman, the son of Holocaust survivors, described the situation as 'deeply saddening' and warned including people with known antisemitic views undermines the memorial's message.
'For anyone who has antisemitic views to speak at any event should alarm the entire American society…,' Zoberman told WAVY. 'That really takes away from the meaningfulness of the event dedicated to the tragic event that happened with the Liberty.'
USS Liberty Veterans Association President Phil Tourney confirmed that Peters asked to speak at the event, but said it's too late to uninvite him.
'If they got a problem with any speaker, Stew Peters or otherwise, there's nothing we can do about it right now,' Tourney said.
Tourney emphasized that the group does not condone hate speech and said the reunion is meant to be a peaceful gathering.
'We come in peace and harmony … to remember our dead mates, break some bread together,' he said, noting the group is now spending up to $25,000 on 24-hour police protection due to threats. WAVY has not verified this with Norfolk Police.
Meanwhile, VFW Post 4809 states:
'The VFW Department of Virginia and VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk are aware that the event flyer for the USS Liberty Veterans Association reunion has been edited to imply association with white supremacists and antisemites. The VFW and Post 4809 do not in any way support those who hijacked this event for their own agenda. We support the victims and survivors of the attack, and all veterans, but white supremacy and antisemitism have no place in the VFW. The event at the Sheraton in Norfolk is a Liberty Veterans Association reunion and any questions about that event should be directed to that organization. VFW Post 4809 will host a memorial service at the USS Liberty monument located outside the post so veterans can pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving aboard USS Liberty.'
WAVY reached out to both the city of Norfolk and Marriott, which owns the Sheraton venue, for comment. The city acknowledged the request but has not provided a statement. Marriott has not responded.
The USS Liberty reunion is still scheduled to take place as planned.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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