 "Israeli athletes were held hostage and killed by Palestinian militants at the 1972 Olympics. AFP")
Israeli athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics have received death threats with a reminder of the 1972 attacks, prompting the Israeli government to deploy armed agents for their protection.
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Amid rising antisemitism and Israel-Palestine conflict reaching its tenth month, threats have been sent to target any Israeli presence during the Olympics, with some athletes receiving invitations to their own funerals.
For the 88-member contingent, Israeli Shin Bet intelligence agency will oversee their safety in the French capital.
What happened at the 1972 Olympic Games?
On September 5, eight Palestinian terrorists from the group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and took 11 Israeli athletes and coaches hostage. The terrorists demanded the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and two German terrorists.
As negotiations unfolded, the world watched in horror as the Olympics, meant to be a celebration of international unity and sportsmanship, became a stage for political violence. The crisis lasted almost 18 hours, with West German authorities attempting to resolve the situation peacefully.
Read | Timeline of events on September 5, 1972
Tragically, a failed rescue attempt at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base resulted in the deaths of all nine Israeli hostages, along with a German police officer and five of the terrorists.
The Munich massacre had far-reaching consequences. It led to significant changes in Olympic security measures and prompted Israel to launch Operation Wrath of God, a covert operation to track down and eliminate those responsible for the attack. The event also brought international attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the use of terrorism as a political tool.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe massacre remains a dark chapter in Olympic history, serving as a somber reminder of the impact of global conflicts on the world of sports.
How does Olympics remember this horrific incident?
Two days before the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, in a ceremony led by Brazilian and Israeli officials, the International Olympic Committee honoured the slain individuals.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, a moment of silence was observed at the opening ceremony.
At the Paris Olympics, Israel president Isaac Herzog will be in attendance at the opening ceremony. Herzog and his wife Michal are scheduled to place a mezuzah on the Israeli building in the Olympic Village to mark 52 years since the Munich massacre.