Palestinian terrorists murdered eleven Israeli athletes after taking them as hostages. After five decades, Israeli athletes' memories were honoured during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
For the first time after five decades, the silence was observed in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics to honour the memories of 11 Israeli athletes whom Palestinian terrorists murdered.
Eight Palestinian terrorists of Palestinian terrorist organisation Black September murdered 11 Israeli athletes participating in the Munich Olympics of 1972.
“One group still holds a strong place in all our memories and stands for all those we have lost at the games – the members of the Israeli delegation at the Olympic Games Munich 1972,” the announcer announced on Friday (July 23) during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
She added, “We remember those who lost their lives during the Olympic Games.”
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the move. He posted on microblogging platform Twitter, “Today, for the first time at the Olympic Games, the brutal massacre of 11 members of the Israeli delegation at the 1972 Munich Olympics was officially mentioned. I welcome this important and historic moment. May they rest in peace.”
Earlier, the International Olympic Committee had faced criticism for rejecting a request for a minute silence at the London 2012 Games to mark the 40th anniversary of the attack and honour the memories of the Israeli athletes.
Israeli American journalist Yuan Leibzon wrote on Twitter, “For the first time a moment of silence was observed during the @Tokyo2020 Olympics #OpeningCeremony in remembrance of 1972 Munich Olympics massacre where 11 members of the Israeli Team were murdered by the Palestinian terror group Black September #Tokyo2020”
