Title: We will repeat Munich 1972: Israeli Olympic athletes threatened ahead of Paris Games
As the world descends upon Paris for the Olympic Games, a chilling threat has cast a dark shadow over the international community. Israeli athletes, set to compete in the Games, have been sent a menacing message from a suspected Palestinian militant group, eerily echoing the infamous Munich Massacre from 1972.
The ominous letter, addressed to the Israeli delegation, was received by the Israeli Olympic Committee earlier this week. The anonymous senders, claiming to be members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), have promised to “repeat Munich 1972” – a reference to the tragic attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which left 11 Israeli athletes and coaches dead.
The PFLP, a militant group that has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks against Israeli targets, has a long history of anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric. The group’s leaders have consistently denied any involvement in past attacks, but their ideology has consistently promoted violence against Israel.
The Israeli government has taken the threats extremely seriously, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett summoning the Israeli Olympic Committee’s leadership for an emergency meeting to discuss security protocols. “We will not tolerate threats against our athletes or any kind of violence,” Bennett declared. “We will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of our delegation.”
Despite the ominous warnings, the Israeli Olympic Committee has vowed to continue participating in the Games, citing the importance of international dialogue and the promotion of peace through sport. “We will not be deterred by these cowardly threats,” Israeli Olympic Committee Chairman, Joseph Mizrahi, stated. “Our athletes will continue to compete with dignity and with the hope of promoting understanding between nations.”
The Munich Massacre, which occurred on September 5, 1972, was a devastating attack carried out by a group of Palestinian militants on the Israeli Olympic team during the XX Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. The attack, which shocked the world, resulted in the loss of 11 Israeli lives and one German police officer.
As the world prepares to gather in Paris for the Olympic Games, the threat sent to Israeli athletes serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against terrorism and extremism. The international community, in solidarity with the Israeli Olympic delegation, must stand united against such brutal and senseless acts of violence, and reaffirm the values of sportsmanship, peace, and diplomacy that the Olympic Games represent.
In this critical moment, it is more important than ever for nations and their leaders to come together, to show that the spirit of the Olympic Games will not be intimidated by such hateful rhetoric. As the world descends upon Paris, let us heed the words of the Israeli Olympic Committee: “We will not be swayed by threats, and we will not be deterred from our commitment to international peace and understanding.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/we-will-repeat-munich-1972-israeli-olympic-athletes-threatened-ahead-of-paris-games/