Credit: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
This Monday, September 5, Germany held a ceremony in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympic Games, which today turns 50. The tribute was attended by Frank-Walter-Steinmeier, President of Germany, Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, and about 70 relatives of the victims.
In the attack, which became known as the Munich Massacre, members of Israel's Olympic team were taken hostage by Palestinians from the Black September group. In total, 11 Israelis, one German policeman and five terrorists were killed.
"I am ashamed. As head of state of this country and in the name of the Federal Republic of Germany I ask for forgiveness for insufficient protection of the athletes, for insufficient resolution of this matter", declared the President of Germany.
Steinmeier's apology refers to the failures that occurred in the security of the Olympic Games, in the way the hostage rescue was conducted and in the silence that lasted for almost half a century. It was only last week that Germany reached an indemnity agreement with the victims' families, making it possible to hold today's event.
