Germany, Israel mark 50 years since Munich Olympics massacre
- It is 50 years since the attack; ceremonies marking the day come amid hopes last week’s compensation deal will help bereaved families to heal
- Deal saw German state acknowledge ‘responsibility’ in failings leading to deaths of 11 Israelis after Palestinian militant group stormed Olympic flat
Germany on Monday sought “forgiveness” from families of victims in the Munich Olympics attack 50 years on, admitting responsibility for a litany of failings that led to the deaths of 11 Israelis.
“As head of state of this country and in the name of the Federal Republic of Germany, I ask you for forgiveness for the lack of protection of the Israeli athletes at the time of the Olympic Games in Munich and for the lack of clarification afterwards, and for the fact that what happened happened,” said President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a ceremony marking half a century since the attack, addressing relatives of the victims.
Amid the commemorations were hopes that a long-awaited compensation deal for bereaved families will finally help them begin healing from the painful episode.
A row over the financial offer previously made by Berlin to victims’ relatives had threatened to sour the ceremony, with family members planning a boycott.
But a deal was finally agreed last Wednesday for Berlin to provide 28 million euros (US$28 million) in compensation. It also, for the first time, saw the German state acknowledge its “responsibility” in failings that led to the deaths of 11 Israelis.
Steinmeier admitted on Sunday it was “shameful” that it had taken such a long time for Berlin to reach the agreement with victims’ families.