50 years after the Olympic attack: a long way to recognize

50 years after the Olympic attack: a long way to recognize

On September 5, 1972, one of the cruelest attacks in German history occurred in the Olympiadorf in Munich. Palestinian terrorists killed two Israelis and took nine others as hostages. The subsequent attempt at liberation at Fürstenfeldbruck Airport ended tragically: all hostages, a police officer and five of the eight terrorists lost their lives. This event was not only a traumatic shock for the immediate affected, but a terrible heritage that still reverberates today.

In a conversation with Josias Terschenzen, the head of politics and society at "Christians on the side of Israel", it becomes clear why the recent financial agreement with the relatives of the victims is so monumental. The following five decades were characterized by a touching struggle of the bereaved, who fought for recognition for the suffering suffered. The long duration until this agreement - almost half a century - suggests a fundamental inadequacy of the German state.

The financial despair of the bereaved

Although the state made payments to the families concerned after the attack, they were never regarded as real compensation in the past. It was said that it was only gestures that were far from healing the deep wound. After deducting the legal fees, only around one million DM remained from the initial sum for families - a truly blood -thirsty drop on the hot stone. So the question arises as to how much appreciation these families have been given over the years.

In Israel, the Munich attack was perceived with dismay and anger. The then head of the Israeli secret service brought a passionate resentment back, since the rescue operation was grossly incorrectly carried out by the German side. This disregard for the life of the hostages and the police officers led to a noticeable anti-German mood in Israel, which the government tried to dampen so as not to burden German-Israeli relationships. Hoyder was distilled in the political reactions of heads of state, which on the one hand showed the courage to counter terror, but on the other hand did not have the courage to stand up for their own mistakes.

call for the turn of the times

Terschünen in this context calls for a fundamental re -evaluation of German Middle East Policy. While Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks of a "turning point" when it comes to war in Ukraine, he emphasizes that analogous to the Middle East is necessary. To blame the Palestinian side is considered essential to solve the lengthy conflict. Instead of continuing to follow the controversial two -state solution that has not brought peace, alternative approaches should be promoted.

An example of this is the Abraham agreements that have already made progress in the region. At the same time, however, structures are supported with German taxpayers that favor terrorism, which appears unacceptable in view of the political circumstances. Terschünen goes so far that the Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas even supports terrorists - a provocative and confusing truth that raises quick and clear concerns.

also seems contradictory that three days after Abbas made relativizing remarks about the Holocaust in a press conference, 340 million euros provided auxiliary money to the Palestinians, while at the same time the outstanding 28 million euros for the survivors of the attack in Munich had to be fought hard over a period of 50 years. This value shows the disregard of the victims and raises the question of the priorities of German foreign policy. Is there naivety, ignorance or even a conscious political gimmick?

The mastermind of the 1972 attack, Abu Daoud, even wrote in his memories that Abbas was financially involved in the devastating event. Nevertheless, Abbas is welcomed in the Chancellery shortly before the 50th anniversary - a decision that many consider politically unwiggered and pious.

thinking about it is not just a politically motivated debate; It is also a question of respect for the handlebar of this story. German-Israeli relationships not only have to rely on words, but also on deeds that reflect the courage to face their own mistakes.