A memorial ceremony has been held in Paris under tight security to honor 11 Israeli Olympic team members killed in a Palestinian terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics 52 years ago.
In September in 1972, armed Palestinian extremists attacked Israelis at apartments in the Olympic Village, killing an athlete and a coach. Nine Israeli hostages were also killed in gun battles between the terrorists and the police.
The memorial event was held on Tuesday at the Israeli Embassy in Paris. More than 100 people, including bereaved family members, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Israeli athletes, took part.
After prayers were offered to the victims, bereaved family members and other representatives lit 11 candles, the same number of those killed in the incident.
At the Paris Olympics, some spectators booed at Israeli athletes and national anthem against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Given such a situation, Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka said in his address that the current situation seems to overlap with the incident 52 years ago.
He also said, “Should we be satisfied with not being recognized, saluted and celebrated because we are Israelis?”
Israeli Tom Reuveny, who won gold in the men’s windsurfing event, said after the ceremony that he found it really sad that people are dying in wars to be able to live freely.
He expressed hope that the spirit of the Olympics will realize the friendship and peace someday.